Thaindian News

Melbourne, Jan 19 (IANS) Former Australia coach Tim Nielsen feels that his former team is very close to be back at the helm of Test cricket within 12 months.

Australia lead 3-0 in the ongoing series against India and will look to hand the visitors a whitewash when the two teams meet in Adelaide for the fourth and the final Test starting Tuesday.

The Aussies will take on the West Indies and South Africans next and Nielsen feels a victory against the two teams stand them in good stead when they face England in the 2013 Ashes series.

“Australia could be the No.1 Test side in 12 months. We knock over West Indies, then South Africa and have every reason to go to the Ashes as contenders to the throne,” Nielsen was quoted as saying by the Advertiser.

The former coach praised the work done by South African Mickey Arthur and the Australian selectors who put faith on young shoulders in the series against India.

“I am sure a change of voice has been positive, a different perspective. Mickey has had the challenge of having new players come into the side,” said Nielsen, referring to openers David Warner, Ed Cowan, pace tyros James Pattinson, and Pat Cummins.

“Change is never a negative thing and the selectors have done a good job to pick the young players who have been on the horizon”

Nielsen also heaped praise on pacers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who have played a key role for Australia regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

“The biggest improvement has come from Siddle and Hilfy (Hilfenhaus) who have had the courage and willingness to pitch the ball up,” noted Nielsen.

Australia’s 3-1 Ashes loss to England ultimately forced Nielsen’s resignation despite recording one-day and Test series victories over Sri Lanka in August.

“We were never that far away. We got beaten by a England who were an excellent cricket side last year. It didn’t mean we are crap,” Nielsen said.