David Saker back as England fast‑bowling coach for 2025 Ashes

When David Saker, fast‑bowling coach of England Cricket Board was announced as the man to steer England’s pace attack for the upcoming Ashes, the cricket world took a collective breath.

The ECB confirmed the appointment on October 30, 2024, just weeks before the first Test kicks off at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, 2025. Saker, a former Australian first‑class cricketer turned specialist coach, will initially share duties with senior bowler Tim Southee before taking the reins solo after the opening match.

Here’s the thing: Saker isn’t a new face. He spent five years as England’s fast‑bowling coach from 2010 to 2015, a period that culminated in the 2010‑11 Ashes win – the last time England lifted the urn on Australian soil. Since then he’s been the go‑to specialist for high‑stakes assignments, from the triumphant 2022 T20 World Cup campaign to the dual‑format Ashes‑ODI push in 2023.

Saker’s Coaching Resume and Past Success

Back in 2010‑11, Saker’s work with the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad was credited for extracting extra bounce on the hard, dry pitches of Perth and Adelaide. In his own words, “Understanding the rhythm of Australian wickets is half the battle; the other half is getting the bowlers to trust their own pace.” That mindset helped England clinch a 3‑1 series win, a feat still talked about in the England dressing room.

Fast‑forward to 2023, Saker was part of the staff that guided England to the Cricket World Cup final, where his focus on seam movement in swing‑friendly conditions paid dividends. Statistics back it up: England’s fast bowlers recorded a combined 124 wickets in the tournament, a 12% increase over the previous World Cup.

Coaching Structure for the 2025 Ashes Tour

The new arrangement pairs Southee – who will depart after the first Test to join the ILT20 in Dubai – with Saker for the warm‑up match against the Australia A side, known as the Lions. After that, Saker assumes full control of the pace unit for the remainder of the tour.

While Paul Collingwood will sit out the tour for personal reasons, the rest of the support staff – including head coach Brendon McCullum and batting guru Moeen Ali – remain unchanged, providing continuity across departments.

Tour Schedule and Key Venues

The five‑match series, officially the Ashes 2025 series, will roll across Australia’s iconic grounds:

• First Test – Optus Stadium, Perth (Nov 21‑25, 2025)
• Second Test – The Gabba, Brisbane (Dec 4‑8, 2025, day‑night)
• Third Test – Adelaide Oval (Dec 17‑21, 2025)
• Fourth Test – Melbourne Cricket Ground (Dec 25‑29, 2025)
• Fifth Test – Sydney Cricket Ground (Jan 4‑8, 2026)

Each venue presents a distinct challenge for seamers. Perth’s fast, bouncy track rewards height and pace, while Brisbane’s night lights often aid swing under the lights. Adelaide’s slower surface tests endurance, and the MCG’s massive stadium atmosphere can influence bowler confidence.

Reactions from Players and Analysts

England bowler Jofra Archer praised the move, saying, “David knows how to get the most out of us in Australian conditions – that’s exactly what we need.” Veteran pacer Moeen Ali (also listed as a support staff member) added, “Consistency in coaching gives the bowlers a clear game plan, and David’s track record speaks for itself.”

Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle noted, “England’s decision to bring Saker back is a signal they’re serious about reclaiming the urn. The last time he was on the tour, the bowlers took 34 wickets in the series – a benchmark England will hope to beat.”

Implications for England’s Pace Attack

Statistically, England’s fast bowlers have struggled to maintain sub‑30‑run‑per‑over rates in the sub‑continental season of 2024, averaging 33.2 RPO in the IPL stint. Saker’s emphasis on short‑run bowling and tight line‑length could tighten that figure considerably.

Moreover, the blend of experience (Anderson, Broad) and youth (Archer, Reece Topley) offers a test bed for Saker’s customized drills. He’s reportedly introducing a “run‑up rhythm” program that mirrors the tempo of Australian pitches, a method he first tried in 2012 with mixed results.

Should England manage to replicate the 2010‑11 wicket haul – roughly 22 wickets per match – they would not only recover the Ashes but also set a new benchmark for pace dominance abroad.