howardj
International Coach
I think this article was very instructive.
When Tim Nielsen was appointed (and not through a proper process, but because he was previously the assistant and Ponting wanted him as coach) we were ranked number one in both ODIs and Tests. Under his watch, we have slipped to number five in Tests. Where is the expertise with Nielsen? His coaching record is ordinary, and he was a work-aday player.
It's not just that though. Our fielding has markedly slipped, batsmen seem incapable of adjusting to the conditions, and we rarely stick to any pre-game bowling plans.
A coach should be the team's conscience. As in this article, Nielsen is a mate, a 'yes man', and a sounding board. Listen to one of his press conferences, and he just spouts corporate rubbish.
For him to be awarded a three year extension, beggars belief and really typifies much of which is wrong with Australian cricket - complacency, lack of accountability and a real boys club mindset. The same mindset that saw Justin Langer appointed as the batting coach.
You contrast that to England - clear plans, plain language, a maked improvement in fielding, and a very cricket focussed coach in Andy Flower, and I think we're getting flogged in the coach's box as well as on the field.
When Tim Nielsen was appointed (and not through a proper process, but because he was previously the assistant and Ponting wanted him as coach) we were ranked number one in both ODIs and Tests. Under his watch, we have slipped to number five in Tests. Where is the expertise with Nielsen? His coaching record is ordinary, and he was a work-aday player.
It's not just that though. Our fielding has markedly slipped, batsmen seem incapable of adjusting to the conditions, and we rarely stick to any pre-game bowling plans.
A coach should be the team's conscience. As in this article, Nielsen is a mate, a 'yes man', and a sounding board. Listen to one of his press conferences, and he just spouts corporate rubbish.
For him to be awarded a three year extension, beggars belief and really typifies much of which is wrong with Australian cricket - complacency, lack of accountability and a real boys club mindset. The same mindset that saw Justin Langer appointed as the batting coach.
You contrast that to England - clear plans, plain language, a maked improvement in fielding, and a very cricket focussed coach in Andy Flower, and I think we're getting flogged in the coach's box as well as on the field.
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