Australian Test cricket captain Michael Clarke has paid tribute to
outgoing coach Tim Nielsen and wants to have an input into the selection
of his successor, but has stopped short of nominating a candidate.
Clarke
arrived back in Sydney on Wednesday evening after leading Australia to a
1-0 win in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, his first as
skipper.
With a tour of South Africa looming in less than a
month, there is an urgent need to appoint at least an interim
replacement for Nielsen.
Asked who he thought should get the job, Clarke chuckled and said: “Whoever the best person for the job is.”
Clarke
is known to have a high regard for his former NSW mentor Steve Rixon,
who has coached New Zealand successfully and is the current Australian
fielding coach.
He emphasised the need for him to have a strong bond with the new coach.
“There’s
a lot of successful coaches around the world, and I think the priority,
as the review has made very clear, is they are going to try and get the
best person for the job,” Clarke said.
“I think Tim 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.”
Asked if he hoped to have some input into the decision, Clarke said:
“I hope I will,” he said.
“I
have a really good relationship with James Sutherland the (Cricket
Australia) CEO and I’m pretty sure it is important the captain and coach
have a strong bond.
“I would imagine I would have some sort of
impact and I’ll be communicating with James over however long, to try
and work out who they think the best person for the role is.”
