Former Australia all-rounder Andrew McDonald has been appointed as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, replacing Paddy Upton in the role. The Aussie, who previously played in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, has signed a three-year-deal with the Royals.
McDonald, who retired as a player in 2016,ย began his coaching career with English county Leicestershire before moving back to Australia to take over as coach for Victoria. He led the Bushrangers to the one-day and Shield titles in 2018-19 before overseeing Melbourne Renegades’ run to their first Big Bash League crown. In IPL 2018, he had served as a bowling coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
McDonald will also be training the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred with Daniel Vettori serving as his deputy.
๐จ ANNOUNCEMENT ๐จ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 21, 2019
Say hello to our new Head Coach ๐๐พ Andrew McDonald ๐
Hereโs a lot more about him!๐๐พ #HallaBol #RoyalsFamily
After taking over as the coach of the first ever IPL champions, McDonald said, “The Rajasthan Royals is a new, exciting challenge for me, and I can’t wait to get started working with our world-class players and coaches in one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world.”
Zubin Bharucha, Royals’ head of cricket, welcomed McDonald into the set-up, saying: “Andrew’s innovative, forward-thinking nature, along with his experience in the IPL and success in other leagues is why we have selected him as head coach to help us drive long term success. He is data-focused and an impressive man manager who remains well versed with the rigours of modern day cricket.”
