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McDermott applies for India coach role

A brilliant international playing and assistant coaching career holds the Aussie in good stead

Former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott has applied for the high-profile India head coach role.

McDermott confirmed his application to Indian website Sportstar on Saturday as the process to fill the India head coach position, currently held by legend Anil Kumble, continues.

Kumble, who has helped guide India to win all five of their Test series since his appointment in June last year, is a strong chance to retain his post, but McDermott says he’s long harboured ambitions to lead an international outfit.

"Yes, I have thrown my hat in the ring for India’s head coaching job," McDermott said.

"I completed all the procedure on time, and the application was sent much earlier.

"I have had aspirations for a while to be a head coach."

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      Kohli, Shami star in wet warm-up win

      McDermott, who played 71 Tests and captured 291 wickets, was Australia’s full-time bowling coach from the 2013-14 Ashes series to last year’s World T20 in the subcontinent.

      The 52-year-old was instrumental in the development of ace Australia quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson, and was part of the support staff that enjoyed a 5-0 Ashes whitewash and World Cup victory on home soil in 2015.

      "I was away from cricket coaching for a year, and now, I want to come back to it," he said.

      "I have also enjoyed my time in India, and it would be nice to serve Indian cricket."

      Image Id: 7E58DC6A648A4D25BEC29C2618D58BB0 Image Caption: McDermott with the successful, and unchanged, Ashes bowling attack of 2013-14 // Getty


      While there has been a reported rift between India captain Virat Kohli and coach Kumble, the skipper quashed those claims ahead of his side’s blockbuster Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.

      "There have been a lot of speculations and a lot of things being written by people without actually being a part of the changing room, which is very strange," Kohli said. 

      "There are no problems whatsoever. If something is put in place as a process, I don't see why people are creating so many speculations about it. It's been followed last time as well, and I didn't see any issues being created last time. It's the same process. 

      "It's just happening after 12 months. And there are no issues whatsoever. The team is totally focused on the Champions Trophy."

      Image Id: 12CA971E9EEF4CF3B3C5DB2818ECEACA Image Caption: Zinc was in back in '93 // Getty


      While Kumble's future beyond the Champions Trophy remains clouded, McDermott said his experiences as both player and coach will hold him in good stead for whatever challengers may arise. 

      "I have handled many situations before. And I believe, as a head coach, your job is no longer restricted to just cricket," McDermott said.

       "Being a head coach is about managing the people and maintaining a good relation with the players and the captain." 


      Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

      Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation


      Schedule


      1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

      2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

      3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

      4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

      5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

      6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

      7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

      8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

      9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

      10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

      11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

      12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

      14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

      15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

      18 June – Final, The Oval (D)


      19 June – Reserve day (D)