Adam Voges’ climb to the top of Australian cricket has continued after he was named as the new national coach coach on Thursday.
The former Australian opener who coaches Western Australia and Perth Scorchers was appointed as the Australia A coach for the upcoming clashes against New Zealand A.
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Voges coached WA and the Scorchers to back-to-back domestic trebles across the Sheffield Shield, Marsh Cup and BBL.
He’ll take the reigns for the Australia A squad when they play host to New Zealand in two four-day matches and three 50-over matches in Queensland later this month.
The series will run at the same time as Australia’s T20 and ODI tour of South Africa.
While the squad has yet to be named, Voges’ coaching squad has been and includes former Australian captain Tim Paine.
Paine will join former Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Smaraweera, Luke Butterworth, Scott Prestwidge and Tony Hampson on the coaching staff.
“I see it as an opportunity,” Voges told ESPNCricinfo.
“I love my job here in Perth. I’m really grateful for the opportunity I get here [in WA]. I’d love to continue to develop and grow and learn as much as I can as a coach and this opportunity gives me another chance to do that.
“I’ll enjoy the three-and-a-half weeks that I get with [the Australia A] program and then run or charge full steam into our domestic season.”
The first four-day game will take place at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from August 28-31 before shifting to Great Barrier Reef Stadium in Mackay on September 4-7 for a day-night fixture.
The first 50-over game will also be held in Mackay on September 10 before the second and third games return to Brisbane on September 13 and 15.
The opportunity to take over a national squad comes after former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie told news.com.au he’d love to see Voges lead the main squad.
“I think we’ve got a young coach out in the west who’s been winning trophies for fun, creating a great environment – Adam Voges, I’m a huge rap for him and what he does and how he goes about it.
“He’d be a great person to lead at some point in the future … I just think we’ve got some really good people around Australian cricket.
“Wade Seccombe, Chris Rogers, Greg Shipperd the old guru is taking charge in New South Wales, I think we’re really healthy in that coaching space in Australian cricket.”
