Nielsen to be Australia's new coach

Tim Nielsen will replace John Buchanan as Australian cricket coach after the World Cup. Nielsen, 38, who recently headed Australian cricket's Centre of Excellence and was a former assistant coach with the national squad, was confirmed as Buchanan's successor on Monday after a Cricket Australia board meeting. The way was cleared for Nielsen's appointment when Tom Moody, the other leading candidate and current Sri Lanka coach, withdrew from the selection process last week.

The former South Australia wicketkeeper-batsman has worked with many of Australia's leading players at the Brisbane-based Centre of Excellence and had also been an assistant to Buchanan for three years from 2002. He may accompany the Australian team to the West Indies for the World Cup next month to ease the coaching transition. Buchanan announced during Australia's Ashes series win over England that he would retire after the World Cup.

"I'm incredibly proud, honored and excited to have been offered this opportunity," Nielsen said. "This job represents a great opportunity to work with a fine group of players who are an excellent cricket team." "Over the coming period there will be some transition in the playing group and I look forward to working with the exciting emerging talent in this country as well as the established members of the squad." Nielsen made clear his respect for Buchanan, who led Australia from 1999 through one of the most successful eras in its history.

"Filling John Buchanan's shoes will be a big job," he said. "John is a leading light in cricket coaching globally and his record speaks for itself. I've been privileged to be a member of his support staff and the benefits I'll inherit in terms of the structure around the playing group have largely come around due to John's hard work." Nielsen played 101 first-class matches for South Australia between 1990 and 1999, claiming a state record 316 wicketkeeping dismissals.

Australia is ranked No 1 in Test and One-Day cricket and is the two-time defending World Cup champion.

Source: cricketnext