Nielsen ideal for a changing team - Border

Tim Nielsen's knowledge of cricket technique and skills-based approach were two of the key reasons he was chosen as Australia's new coach. Allan Border, who was on the Cricket Australia subcommittee appointed to find John Buchanan's successor, said Nielsen's coaching method would suit a team that was developing young players in the wake of several high-profile retirements.

"We did a fair bit of exhaustive checking and I suppose John Buchanan being very meticulous in the preparation, Tim is stronger in the actual technique and that side of the game," Border told The Sunday Age. "We think he will bring what is required for a younger group."

Border said the maturing of Ricky Ponting as captain meant the side's coaching requirements had changed. "Over the next five years, we are going to have a turnover of people, so he will bring a different expertise," Border said. "With someone like Ricky, who has grown to a certain status that he can really run the team very strongly, it leaves the coach to do some really serious, hands-on coaching."

The panel who selected Nielsen viewed his background as the head coach at the Centre of Excellence as first-rate and believed it would hold him in good stead to guide a team with a number of new faces. "He has grown in stature since he has worked at the academy," Border said. "He has brought a new lease on life to that position, and all the cricketers that were under his charge have improved and gone on to the next level, or are threatening. That's a good sign."