The Australian cricket team has been playing Test cricket since 1877 and evolved into one of the sport’s most dominant sides. Unlike some countries, Australia did not appoint a long-term, full-time head coach until the mid-1980s — prior to that tour managers and captains often handled coaching duties. Since Bob Simpson’s appointment in 1986 Australia’s list of head coaches includes Bob Simpson, Geoff Marsh, John Buchanan, Tim Nielsen, Mickey Arthur, Darren Lehmann, Justin Langer and (from 2022) Andrew McDonald — several of whom led Australia to ICC trophies and multiple Ashes successes.
Read Also:- IPL 2026 Retained Players List
List of Australia national cricket team coaches: Full List 1971–2025
| No. | Coach | Stint | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No official long-term head coach (team managers & captains performed coaching duties) | 1971–1985 | Australia (managers handled tours). |
| 2 | Bob Simpson | 1986–1996 | Australia. |
| 3 | Geoff Marsh | 1996–1999 | Australia. |
| 4 | John Buchanan | 1999–2007 | Australia. |
| 5 | Tim Nielsen | 2007–2011 | Australia. |
| 6 | Mickey Arthur | 2011–2013 | South Africa (born). |
| 7 | Darren Lehmann | 2013–2018 | Australia. |
| 8 | Justin Langer | 2018–2022 | Australia. |
| 9 | Andrew McDonald | 2022–2025 | Australia. |
No official head coach (1971–1985)
Before Bob Simpson’s appointment in 1986 Australia generally relied on tour managers, assistant managers and captains to run training and tactics for individual tours — there was no permanent national head coach as understood today. That changed in 1986 when Cricket Australia (then the ACB) moved to a full-time coach model.
Read Also:- Afghanistan National Cricket Team Coaches
Bob Simpson (1986–1996)
Former Australian opener and captain was Australia’s first full-time national coach (1986–1996). He is widely credited with rebuilding a struggling side into a world-class team: under Simpson Australia won the 1987 Cricket World Cup, regained the Ashes in 1989 and established itself as the No.1 Test side through the early-to-mid 1990s. Simpson’s coaching emphasised discipline, fitness and fielding standards and he left in 1996 after a decade in charge.
Geoff Marsh (1996–1999)
Geoff Marsh, a reliable opening batter for Australia (50 Tests, 117 ODIs) took over from Simpson in 1996. Marsh’s most notable achievement as head coach was guiding Australia to the 1999 Cricket World Cup title in England. He left the role after the 1999/2000 period and later worked as a selector and coach elsewhere.
John Buchanan (1999–2007)
John Buchanan succeeded Marsh in 1999 and presided over one of Australia’s most dominant eras. Buchanan’s tenure included World Cup victories (2003 and 2007), a record run of consecutive Test wins, and multiple Ashes triumphs; his analytical, methodical approach and use of sports science won praise (and some criticism). Buchanan stepped down after the 2007 World Cup, leaving with one of the best win-rates of any Australia coach.
Tim Nielsen (2007–2011)
Tim Nielsen, a long-time assistant in the national program and former South Australia wicketkeeper-batter was Australia’s head coach from 2007 to 2011. Under his leadership Australia won the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, and Nielsen left the job after the 2011 World Cup cycle.
Mickey Arthur (2011–2013)
John “Mickey” Arthur (born South Africa) was Australia’s coach from 2011 until his sacking in June 2013. Arthur was the first foreign-born coach appointed by Cricket Australia; his tenure was mixed — he introduced some fresh structures but was dismissed shortly before the 2013 Ashes after a difficult tour of India and poor results.
Darren Lehmann (2013–2018)
Darren Lehmann took charge in mid-2013 and led Australia to a 2015 Cricket World Cup triumph, plus Ashes successes in 2013–14 and 2017–18. His tenure ended in March 2018 when he announced his resignation in the wake of the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal (Cricket Australia later cleared him of prior knowledge). Lehmann’s time combined strong results and intense scrutiny over team culture after the 2018 incident.
Justin Langer (2018–2022)
Justin Langer was appointed after the 2018 crisis and guided Australia through a rebuilding phase. Highlights under Langer included a convincing Ashes series performance and Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup success. Langer resigned in February 2022 after discussions with Cricket Australia about his contract and future direction of the program.
Andrew McDonald (2022–2025)
Andrew McDonald was a former Test all-rounder who joined the national staff as an assistant in 2019 — was appointed Australia’s head coach in April 2022. Under McDonald Australia added major silverware (the ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup among others) and he was given a contract extension to continue through 2027. McDonald remains Australia’s head coach as of 2025.
