Cricket: Leicestershire´s McDonald to return to Australia

LONDON: Andrew McDonald is to leave his role as Leicestershire´s elite performance director and become coach of Victoria in his native Australia, the English county announced on Friday.

McDonald, 35, will leave Leicestershire at the end of the season, with Pierre de Bruyn taking over as head coach.

As well as coaching Victoria, who have won the past two Sheffield Shield titles, the former Australia all-rounder will also manage Big Bash League outfit the Melbourne Renegades.

"It has been an extremely difficult decision to leave Leicestershire County Cricket Club, but I have to put my family first and we are now going to settle back home in Australia," McDonald said in a statement.

"I´d like to thank the club for this fantastic opportunity. I´ll always be grateful for having the chance to both play and coach at the Fischer County Ground and will continue to follow the club´s fortunes from afar."

Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan said: "This decision has not been easy for Andrew and we are naturally disappointed to lose a person and coach of his calibre.
"We fully understand and respect the reasons for his decision."