Thaindian News

Melbourne, Aug 24 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) Tuesday renewed Australian coach Tim Nielsen’s contract until the end of the next Ashes series in England in 2013.
Nielsen, a former South Australian wicketkeeper, and former head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Queensland, has been coach of the national men’s team since February 2007.

CA chief executive James Sutherland and general manager Cricket Michael Brown told Australian players at the player camp in Coolum, Queensland, that Nielsen will remain at the helm through the next two Ashes’ campaigns as well as through Australia’s bid to win a fourth consecutive World Cup in early 2011.

He was also assistant national coach before taking the national coaching role.

“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,” Sutherland told players.

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

“We have won eight of our last 10 Tests, are ranked number one in One-day International Cricket and reached the final of the most recent ICC T20 Championship with Tim as our national coach.

“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”.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said: “This reappointment is a fantastic step forward for Australian cricket and recognition for the hard work of Tim and his coaching staff since his tenure began.

“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship as this team enters a period of great importance, striving to reclaim the Ashes and secure a fourth successive World Cup.”

Australian vice-captain and Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke said: “Tim has provided this team with great stability through an exciting period of transition in all formats of the game.

“This reappointment allows us to continue this work focusing initially on success during the tour of India, the five-Test Ashes series and the one-day World Cup.”

Nilesen said: “I am 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.”

The appointment is the second Australian cricket major elite position announced during this week’s player camp, following the announcement of cricket legend Greg Chappell as Australia’s inaugural National Talent Manager.