Mickey Arthur Named As New Australia Coach

Mickey Arthur Named As New Australia Coach

Mickey Arthur has been named as the new Australia coach and will take over in time for the opening Test against New Zealand on 1st December

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Former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has been named as Australia's new head coach and becomes the first foreigner to hold the post.

He replaces Tim Nielsen, who stood down following a review into Cricket Australia's (CA) on and off-field performances while Troy Cooley acted as temporary coach during the tour of South Africa.

Arthur was coach of South Africa between 2005 and 2010 - leading them to a Test series win in Australia during that time - and took over at Western Australia since 2010.

His role as coach will also see him become a national selector and he will begin in time for the opening Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on 1st December and his contract runs until the end of the 2015 World Cup, which Australia co-host with New Zealand.

Arthur moved into coaching following 15 years as a first-class cricketer, scoring 6,657 runs as well as 3,774 one-day runs for Griqualand West, Orange Free State and Impalas.

"The position is a new, elevated role responsible for day-to-day coaching of the Australia team but also encompasses responsibility for the overall Australian cricket coaching strategy," CA chief executive James Sutherland explained.

"The function was created as one of the key recommendations of the recent Australian Team Performance Review (ATPR).

"It is the last of the major new positions recommended, following the recent appointments of Pat Howard to the new role of General Manager Team Performance and that of John Inverarity to the new full-time role of National Selector."

Arthur said: "I am honoured and privileged to have another chance to coach an international team, particularly a team of the ilk of Australia."

"I think I bring a fresh, unblinkered eye to the role after plotting against Australia when coaching South Africa and having now worked within the Australian system with the Warriors.

"Australia has an abundance of cricket talent and I am confident the talent is there to ensure Australia is successful."

Arthur, who had an Australian great grandfather, added that he and his family plan to become Australian residents and set up a home in Australia.

© Cricket World 2011