McDermott quits Australia post

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Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott has stepped down from his role, just a year after taking up the position with the national team.

The 47-year-old former Australia fast bowler has helped the likes of Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins combine to become one of the world's most formidable pace attacks.

But, almost a year to the day since he was appointed, McDermott announced he was resigning due to the travel demands associated with the job.

"It has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team - a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago," McDermott said in a statement today.

Outgoing bowling coach Craig McDermott said: "It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period."

"However, the team's schedule is a particularly busy one and, after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.

"It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success.

"The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of."

The limited-overs tour of England and Ireland is next on Australia’s agenda, ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

McDermott has agreed to help Cricket Australia's centre of excellence, and has not ruled out returning to the national set-up.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur paid tribute to McDermott's efforts, and admitted it will be tricky finding someone to fill the former paceman’s shoes.

"Craig has done an outstanding job since taking over the role and without doubt will be very difficult to replace," the South African said.

"As the Australian public and cricket world has seen, Craig has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed around the group.

"However, we completely understand and respect Craig's decision. The international schedule is a particularly busy one and family must always come first.

"We wish Craig the best and really hope he can be involved with the team at some point in the future."