McDermott `keen` to rejoin squad under Lehmann`s regime

Sydney: Former Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott has expressed a keen desire to return back into the national coaching set-up under the new regime of Darren Lehmann.

The architect of Australia`s world-class band of fast bowlers, McDermott pulled the strings behind the scenes as the likes of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus helped crush India 4-0 at Australia two years ago. Having guided several of the new breed of pacemen from their teens to the international scene, the former cricketer resigned as Australia`s bowling coach after last year`s tour of the Caribbean, citing personal reasons, but on the eve of the Ashes and with Lehmann now in charge, he is keen to return. Stating that he would consider returning to the coaching ranks if he is asked, McDermott said that it was a rewarding experience for him to see the likes of Pattinson, Siddle and Johnson perform well, adding that with athletes like them, the team will have a good environment to work in. According to McDermott, he would love to work alongside Lehmann, whom he respected highly, adding that Lehmann`s first-class playing and coaching records and no-nonsense type approach will be well respected and received from the Australian team. The report further said that the former Test quick has maintained close links with Australia`s fast bowlers despite stepping aside as bowling coach, and as a consultant helped prepare the pace contingent, which also includes Jackson Bird and Ryan Harris, for the Ashes with the Duke ball. Expressing his satisfaction with the Australian bowling attack, McDermott further said that he has worked with the players for more than two weeks before they left for England, for which he has complete faith in them, adding that they can beat any team provided that they remain fit and bowl the right line and length. McDermott, who splits his time between consultancy at Cricket Australia`s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane and with his private cricket school, has set up his personal venture in four venues - Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville and Lismore - and hopes to start another at Blacktown soon. Meanwhile, the report said that whether Lehmann makes any changes to the coaching staff he has inherited is yet to be seen, but the bowling mentor position is held by Ali de Winter. ANI