Amid concerns over sustainability struggles and bio-bubble fatigue, Andrew McDonald is poised for the latest big-name comeback from the Hundred.
McDonald was appointed as head coach of Birmingham Phoenix, but ESPNcricinfo understands he is not coming to England this summer to carry on with his responsibilities as Australia's assistant coach. Daniel Vettori is believed to be a strong favorite to secure an interim role in charge of the side.
Instead McDonald's is expected to embark on a Caribbean tour of Australia, which departs in late June and is due to travel to Bangladesh in early August. He will be in contact with Phoenix in a consulting capacity and is expected to resume his duties in 2022.
McDonald's decision follows a string of other high-profile withdrawals that have included Marcus Stoinis, David Warner and Kagiso Rabada. With fixture congestion (both international and franchise leagues), quarantine arrangements and bubble fatigue contributing to a near perfect storm, the ECB is gearing up for more evacuations in the coming days. The program shows that the participation of players from the Caribbean and Pakistan could prove particularly challenging. New Zealand players, who are already in the UK, could prove to be beneficiaries. Lockie Ferguson is expected to replace Rabada for Manchester Originals.
Although this news is a big blow for Birmingham Phoenix. McDonald's was heavily involved in the planning stages for the tournament, including the players making decisions.