Cricket: Damien Fleming goes from bowling to coaching

Former test bowler Damien Fleming retired from playing yesterday after surprisingly being named head coach of the Australian Cricket Academy.

The knockabout, heavy-metal music lover has a two-year contract to head the Adelaide academy, replacing Wayne Phillips, who has been appointed South Australian coach.

Fleming's 20 tests between 1994-95 and 2000-01 returned 75 wickets at an average of 25.89. He also represented his country in 88 one-day internationals.