In a clear strategic move, England have pulled off what can be considered a masterstroke by appointing David Saker as their fast bowling coach for the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series. David Saker previously served as the bowling coach for an Ashes-winning Australian side to now guide their own pace attack for the high-octane Test series against Australia which is set to start from November 21.
David Saker becomes England's fast-bowling coach
During his career, David Saker has been involved in both major outcomes of the Ashes series in Australia. The Victorian was part of the England backroom staff when they secured their only series victory Down Under in 36 years during the 2010/11 tour. Later, he was in the Australian dressing room when they successfully regained the urn in 2017/18.
Saker's most recent involvement with England began when he rejoined the squad under white-ball head coach Matthew Mott ahead of last year's T20 World Cup triumph. It was during this successful campaign that Test captain Ben Stokes approached Saker about taking on a specialist role specifically for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
“I said ‘yes’ straight away because of the magnitude of the occasion. Once Stokesy pushed it, it made it an easy decision. It’s looking to be a hell of a series with these two teams,” Saker said, as quoted by Independent.
Saker's appointment is a direct result of the existing coach Tim Southee, leaving the squad after the first Test in Perth to participate in the ILT20 league. Saker and Southee will work together during the warm-up fixture against the Lions in Perth and will both be present for the opening Test match. Following the conclusion of that first Test, Saker will assume the fast-bowling coach responsibilities solo. In other staffing news, Paul Collingwood will not be part of the touring party, having been absent from the coaching staff over the summer due to personal reasons. The rest of the support staff remains unchanged.
Saker's return is a big boost for England
Saker is a familiar and trusted figure within the England setup. He previously served as the full-time fast-bowling coach from 2010 to 2015. More recently, England has brought him back for major tournaments, including their T20 World Cup victory in 2022 and for both the Ashes and ODI World Cup in 2023. His extensive experience makes him a reliable choice as England prepares for a tough contest against Australia.
David Saker's official title is Specialist Skills Consultant but his role is specifically focused on working with England's fast-bowling group. Critically, as an Australian, he has been brought in to provide valuable local knowledge regarding how to succeed in the challenging conditions Down Under. This appointment continues the trend in international cricket where teams opt to hire consultants on a short-term basis to gain specific insight into conditions they are about to face. England utilized this strategy previously, bringing in Mike Hussey and Kieron Pollard for the recent T20 World Cups held in Australia and the Caribbean, respectively. Earlier this year, South Africa similarly hired Stuart Broad as a consultant for their World Test Championship final at Lord's.
Although Saker's appointment comes at the eleventh hour, it aligns with England's long-term planning. The team is committed to bringing a battery of fast bowlers to Australia in a concerted effort to win only their second away Ashes series since 1987. England will travel with arguably their fastest-ever seam attack, which includes Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts. Furthermore, with the England Lions squad also touring concurrently, they have the option to call upon additional resources like Sonny Baker, Josh Hull, and Matt Fisher if required.