Arguably the worlds best pace coach, it is McDermott’s second time in Armidale this year after holding a similar camp, also at TAS, in January.

 “It is a great regional hub and there are great facilities here,” McDermott said.

The two-day camp had 37 players booked in on both days, yesterday and today.

Nathan Hauritz was booked for the camp but pulled out at the last moment, although John Davidson was there to coach the 11 specialist spinners.

Davidson is Test spinner Nathan Lyon’s preferred coach and current national spin coach, and professional coach Simon Hatherell was there to specialise with the batsmen.

Many local junior representative players attended the camp which was timed perfectly, just three weeks before the season starts.

The Armidale juniors also kick off the rep season with a game against Tamworth on October 26, with a couple of the Tamworth boys there as well.

The players were put through all the basics, with the coaches advising them on all the latest techniques and advice.

Net sessions, field sessions, catching and throwing and, of course, pace bowling were all covered.

“We got great feedback from January,” McDermott said.

“I am going to try to come once and maybe even twice a year.”

The man behind last year’s Ashes victory and Mitchell Johnson’s summer is excited to be heading into another huge year of cricket. McDermott will fly out to the UAE on Sunday for a six- week tour against Pakistan.

“I am going to the AFL grand final first so there are some perks,” McDermott said.

McDermott has taken on one of the old enemy for a few weeks’ training.

Budding  international pace coach Arj Jhala also helped out at the camp as he spends two weeks learning from the master.

“I want to be a pace coach and he is the best in the world,” Jhala said.

McDermott is not too concerned with the growing list of injuries hitting the Australian camp and bowling contingent before the season has even started. “We have got some very talented young blokes coming through like Mitchell Marsh and Shaun Abbott.”

“I would love to see Ryan Harris come back in and it is great to see Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jackson Bird bowling again.”

Ben Hilfenhaus was called into the squad this week after Shane Watson was ruled out.

McDermott is also sweating on last summer’s king Mitchell Johnson, who is recovering from a rib injury sustained at the crease.