Craig McDermott to coach Australia's bowlers

McDermott dismissing Alec Stewart in the 1994-95 Ashes

Craig McDermott has replaced Troy Cooley as bowling coach to the Australian cricket team.

Ashes winner and former Queensland paceman McDermott, 46, took 291 wickets at 28.63 in 71 Tests for his country.

Cooley's position fell vacant when he was moved to the Centre of Excellence following last winter's failed Ashes campaign against England.

Meanwhile, Justin Langer has retained his position as assistant to head coach Tim Nielsen, Cricket Australia said.

McDermott beat off competition from several strong international candidates to land his role.

He comes in with Australian youngsters Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Peter George and Pat Cummins all coming through the ranks at state level.

Test regulars Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus remain relatively young, however Australia have slipped to fifth in the Test rankings and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

CA general manager Michael Brown said. "His impressive record as an international player, during which he successfully overcame a number of setbacks, combined with his recent record at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence and with the Australia team in Bangladesh, all impressed us that he was the outstanding candidate for this role.

"Justin's record as a player and then over the last 18 months, as coach, leader and mentor within the Australia team coaching group, speaks for itself," Brown said.

McDermott ran a real estate firm in Queensland with his wife Ann-Maree after retirement as a player, before returning to cricket.