NEW DELHI: Australian head coach Andrew McDonald will miss the remaining two ODIs against India, a media report suggested. The decision comes ahead of the upcoming Ashes, as McDonald is keen to focus entirely on preparations for the series.
Meanwhile, in McDonald's absence, assistant head coach Andre Borovec will serve as the stand-in head coach for the second and third ODIs, scheduled on October 23 in Adelaide and October 25 in Sydney.
WATCH: Indian players arrive in Adelaide ahead of 2nd ODI against Australia
A report from Codesports also stated that McDonald will meet with Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to plan and strategise as the India series progresses.
The five-match Test series between Australia and England is set to begin on November 21, just days after their white-ball series against India concludes on November 8. This leaves the Kangaroos with very little time to prepare for one of the biggest challenges in Test cricket.
If regular Test skipper Pat Cummins fails to recover from his back injury, Steve Smith will lead the team in the Ashes. The injury has also ruled Cummins out of the white-ball series against India.
He is also unlikely to feature in the first Ashes Test, starting November 21 in Perth, and in that scenario former skipper Smith will captain Australia.
"If Pat doesn't play, Smudge (Smith) will captain. That's business as usual for us. That formula has worked," selection chair George Bailey was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
