Thaindian News

Sydney, Aug 24(ANI): Cricket Australia (CA) has renewed Australian coach Tim Nielsen’s contract until the end of the next Ashes series in England in 2013.

Nielsen, who took over from John Buchanan in 2007, had helped Australia manage the ‘challenging transition’ following the retirements of experienced players including Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath.

“Tim has been at the helm through a significant and challenging period of transition which has seen a number of once-in-a-generation global champions retire from the Australian team,” The Australian quoted James Sutherland, CA Chief Executive, as saying.

“Working closely with (captain) Ricky Ponting, team leadership, national players and team management, he has played an important role leading Australia through that transition,” he added.

He further highlighted that under Nielsen’s leadership, Australia has won eight of their last 10 Tests, are ranked number one in ODI cricket and reached the final of this year’s T20 World Cup.

“In assessing this reappointment, it was important to CA to note the strong support for Tim in his role from players, team management and other cricket leaders in Australia’s national talent pathway program,” Sutherland said.

Meanwhile, talking about CA’s decision, Nielsen said that he was excited about the coming phase in Australian cricket.

“We have players who have come into the group over the last year or so who have found their feet at international level and more young players coming through, it is a great time to be renewing my role,” he added.

Nielsen’s reappointment follows the recruitment of former captain Greg Chappell as Australia’s first full-time selector. (ANI)