Cats coach promoted to state ranks

ANDRE Borovec has received the break of his cricket coaching career, earning a promotion to state ranks.

Borovec has been appointed an assistant coach with the Victorian Sheffield Shield side and the Melbourne Renegades.

Borovec, 40, will link up with former Geelong, Victorian and Australian player Andrew McDonald as one of his trusted lieutenants across both teams.

The Cats have found an instant replacement, appointing Liam Buchanan as the coach for the upcoming season.

Borovec had been at the helm at the Cats for the past three years and guided the First XI to the finals last season.

Borovec oversaw the rapid progression of a number of young players at the club, including current first XI captain and Victorian contract holder Eamonn Vines.

Buchanan will be supported by already appointed assistant coach Matt Gunther, bowling coach Trent Walerys and development coach Luke Muller.

The coaching group will also now include Renegades player and former South Australia Sheffield Shield player Tim Ludeman, who has stepped up to be a development coach with the club.

“The club had known for some time that Andre was a chance to be offered a position with Victoria and he thoroughly deserves his chance at a higher level and the club is very excited that two of our former players and leaders now make up 50 per cent of the coaching group with Victoria,” Cats president Michael Vines said.

“We are also in the envious position of being able to replace Andre with Liam, who has a wealth of experience both with Victoria and in Premier Cricket.”