Nielsen named Australia’s new coach
by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter
DateLine: 6th February 2007
Tim Nielsen will become coach of Australia's Test and one-day cricket
team when John Buchanan retires after next month's World Cup, Cricket
Australia said Monday.
Nielsen, 38, is head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane,
which includes managing the respected Australian Institute of Sport
(AIS) men's cricket programme. He took over that role in 2005 after
spending three years assisting Buchanan in the coaching of the
Australian team.
Nielsen, a former wicketkeeper-batsman for South Australia, will begin
work in his new role after the World Cup, Cricket Australia said.
Nielsen was appointed a week after former Australian Test player Tom
Moody, the highly regarded coach of Sri Lanka, announced he was not
interested in the position.
"I'm incredibly proud, honoured and excited to have been offered this
opportunity," Nielsen said in a statement. "Moving forward, 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. Filling John Buchanan's shoes will be a big job.
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.
John will continue to be a regular sounding board for me in the role."
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the fact that
an appointment had been made from within the coaching system reflected
the quality of the game's high performance programmes.
"His relationships with our established players and rising stars are
excellent and I know the playing group is looking forward to working
with him when John Buchanan retires after the World Cup," Sutherland
said.
Buchanan endorsed Nielsen's appointment, saying his former assistant
had a huge desire for the Australian team to continue to move forward.
"This is an outstanding appointment for Australian cricket, the team
and the coaching profession," Buchanan said in a statement. "Tim has
demonstrated throughout his time in the state system, as assistant
coach to the national team and head coach in the institute
programme, his dedication, desire and enthusiasm for the game. He also
has a huge desire for the team to keep improving. Each system he's been
involved with has prospered. He is an ideal man, together with the
Australian captain, to take the Australian team into the future."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting said it was important that the new
coach had a deep understanding of the players.
"Tim was an outstanding assistant coach with the national team and has
led a very successful programme at the Centre of Excellence," Ponting
said. "One of the most important things to have as a coach is a deep
understanding of any individual player and their techniques. Tim has
worked with most of the young talent in the country at the Centre of
Excellence and is well placed to guide that young talent. On a personal
level I'm delighted, having played against Tim and having worked with
him when he was assistant coach. We have an excellent working
relationship and I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
