Nielsen firms as next Australia coach

Tim Nielsen's hopes of replacing his mentor John Buchanan have improved significantly after Tom Moody ruled himself out of contention as Australia's next coach. Buchanan steps aside after the World Cup and Nielsen and Moody were both interviewed for the position, which could be announced as early as next week.

Cricket Australia has a board meeting on February 5 and the appointed selection panel of Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Daryl Foster is by then expected to have recommended their choice. The Sydney Morning Herald reported only Moody and Nielsen were interviewed for the job, and Moody has pulled out to concentrate on guiding Sri Lanka at the World Cup.

"John's been a good mentor for me, but I'd probably be more a hands-on type of coach, probably doing more skills work with the players," Nielsen told the paper. "John sort of manages the coaching program he has set up. I think I've got a good rapport with the current Australian players, and also, having worked with Australia A and at the academy, I know a fair few of the younger blokes coming through."

Nielsen, 38, was a wicketkeeper-batsman at South Australia before moving into coaching and spent three years as Buchanan's assistant until he switched to the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. "It's a matter of the panel now deciding who they want," Nielsen said, "but obviously I'd be very keen on the job."