Saker’s loyalty for Ashes with England despite Oz connection

SYDNEY - Australian David Saker, who has just passed six months as England’s bowling coach, has made it clear that his loyalties lie with the England team.

“I’ll be ecstatic if they (England) win the Ashes. It’s just like any team environment.. it’s country-versus-country, but in cricket nowadays players and officials and support staff change all the time. Once you’re in a job, you do the best you can,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Saker, as saying.

Returning home to Australia, he further said that he was amused to hear the generally pessimistic view of Australia’s chances.

“All the negative press is towards them but again, we know how hard they are going to come at us in Brisbane whether we bat or bowl. It’s going to be game on,” he added.

Saker was appointed bowling coach for England earlier this year after a stint as assistant coach to Greg Shipperd with Victoria, and previously with Tasmania.

In the eyes of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Saker’s eight years as a specialist coach in Australian domestic cricket were more valuable than the extensive international experience of other applicants, including South African Allan Donald and Australian Craig McDermott. (ANI)