Cricket: Clarke wants say on new coach

Australia captain terms it important to have a strong bond.

SYDNEY: Australia Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain Michael Clarke wants a say on who the new coach of the national side will be but stopped short of nominating a candidate, as former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon emerged as a frontrunner.

The former world champions are looking for a new mentor after Tim Nielsen decided to step down after four years in the job rather than reapply after the team secured a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka in Colombo this week.

With a tour of South Africa looming in less than a month, there is an urgent need to appoint at least an interim replacement in the job.

Reports said Rixon and former Australian Test batsman Justin Langer were in the running, at least for the interim position.

Clarke emphasised the need for him to have a strong bond with the new coach.

“There are a lot of successful coaches around the world, and I think the priority, as the Argus review has made very clear, is they are going to try and get the best person for the job,” said Clarke. “I think Nielsen has done an amazing job for Australia. He’s been fantastic for me, not only as a captain, but as a player and he’s certainly going to be missed.

“But in regards to names I’m not going to get involved in that because to me it’s irrelevant.”

During Nielsen’s tenure, Australia lost two Ashes series against England and failed to retain the limited-overs World Cup in April after winning it on the last three occasions.  The sweeping Argus Review was ordered after the second Ashes defeat  at home this year, which Australia lost 3-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd,  2011.