Saker to replace head coach Lehmann for India ODIs

Incumbent boss will be given a break, allowing his assistant to take over the job temporarily

BENGALURU: Assistant coach David Saker will take charge of Australia for their ODI tour of India later this year, allowing head coach Darren Lehmann to take a break.

Australia's coaching set-up has seen former cricketers take turns to fill in for Lehmann, who recovered from deep vein thrombosis last year after being hospitalised for the condition.

"It's a huge honour to be even considered to be a coach of an Australian team, and to be given the opportunity is fantastic," Saker, who has also worked as England's bowling coach, was quoted as saying on Cricket Australia's website. "I'm going to look forward to it a lot, and my ambition is to coach Australia."

The Australia Test side are currently involved in four-match series in India which is tied at 1-1 after two Tests, while the final details of the one-day international tour, pencilled in for October, have yet to be confirmed.