Thaindian News

Sydney, July 4 (IANS) Australia’s cricket coach Tim Nielsen, who is under the scanner since his team’s defeat in the Ashes, says they are looking for consistency rather than regaining the number one position in the Test-ranking.

Australia are currently ranked fifth in Tests and have managed to hold on to their number one ranking in the One-day Internationals despite their quarterfinals exit in the 2011 World Cup.

The team will get the opportunity to improve upon its position in the longer format when they embark on the tour to Sri Lanka next month. Nielsen too will be keen to prove a point after the Ashes debacle and an ordinary World Cup.

“We are not even thinking about No.1,” Nielsen was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Monday.

“To get to No.4 then No.3 (and so on) in the Test rankings and maintain our hold on the No.1 ranking in One-day cricket we need our players to be as consistent as they can be. To prepare the team for Sri Lanka is my only worry at the moment.”

Nielsen admitted that he was hurt after being criticised in the wake of Ashes’ performance.

“You don’t like it, being singled out - let’s be honest. It is hard at times but when we play like the Ashes you stand up and cop it on the chin just like the players on the field. There was a lot of talk about being outcoached in the Ashes and it is hard to argue with that.

“If it (criticism) doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. And we are looking forward to getting better.”

Cricket Australia’s (CA) review in the wake of the team’s 1-3 loss to England in the series led to major changes in the structure of the coaching staff. Though Nielsen was retained with his contract lasting till the 2011-2012 season, former Test player Steve Rixon, Justin Langer and Craig Mcdermott were roped in to assist the embattled coach.