Ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia hand head coach McDonald contract extension till 2027 | Cricket News

Ahead of the forthcoming blockbuster Border Gavaskar Trophy series, Australia have handed head coach Andrew McDonald a three-year contract extension until the end of 2027, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.
McDonald took over the reins in early 2022 after Justin Langer’s ugly exit and has since led the Aussies to their maiden ICC World Test Championship and a sixth ODI World Cup triumph in 2023.
McDonald also overlooked the team as they retained the Ashes after a drawn tour to England last year and stad atop the Test rankings. They are placed second in both ODIs and T20Is, behind India.
“I am very fortunate to have an exceptional group of leaders, players, coaches and staff who are fully invested in the ongoing well-being, success and development of this group,” McDonald said in a news release.
“The professionalism, commitment and experience of my fellow coaches and the wider staff have ensured the journey has been extremely successful but just as importantly created a culture of unity, trust and inclusivity.
“International cricket has many challenges for all teams and I am particularly proud how the group, players and staff, across all formats have navigated those together.”
McDonald, who is currently preparing his team for five Tests against India, will also overlook Australia during a home Ashes series in the 2025-26 season. The other major challenges that McDonald is slated to see in his extension are the 2027 BGT tour to India, an ODI World Cup defence in Southern Africa in 2027 and the 150th anniversary Test match against England in Melbourne.
“Andrew is an outstanding coach and we are thrilled that he has extended his commitment to the Australian men’s team,” said Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of national teams.
“Andrew has created a performance environment that resonates strongly with the playing group and has produced some outstanding results.”
– With Reuters inputs