Rumour doing the rounds-Mickey Arthur will be next Aus Coach

But Arthur denies he's already been given the nod by CA.

Steve Rixon will apparently be his assistant.

Hmm, he seems to have gotten quite a profile by coaching an already tight unit.

Just what Australian cricket needs.

Another opinionated bigmouth with dubious coaching skills.

Brass Monkey wrote:Hmm, he seems to have gotten quite a profile by coaching an already tight unit.

WA?

SA!

Would'nt be suprised if Arthur started the rumour himself. Agree totally with PeterCS's comment and have said as much previously.

Rixon would not appear to have the makings of a loyal deputy

it seems the BNLG is looking to extend his coaching contribution from fixing up the batting to fixing the rest of team...he is reported as an applicant for the position

The announcement will be made in Melbourne at 1pm, money is firming for the Saffie.

Money was right.

It's been a poorly kept secret for almost a week.

And just to demonstrate where his focus will be, he's been contracted until just after the next Gilly.

Cricket Australia has named South African Mickey Arthur as the Australian team's new head coach at a media conference this afternoon.

The former Proteas mentor, who is presently in charge of Western Australia, has been considered among the two frontrunners for the past week.

He was given the nod over the other lead candidate, Steve Rixon, who is on the Australian team staff as fielding coach.

Advertisement: Story continues below Arthur, who will also be on the five-man selection panel, was the South Africa national coach between 2005 and 2010.

The 43-year-old Arthur is the first non-Australian to coach the Australian team, though he is planning to take Australian citizenship.

Other applicants for the job included Tom Moody and Justin Langer.

Cricket Australia general manager, Pat Howard, said that Arthur was the standout candidate.

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

‘‘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 guided South Africa to a streak of nine unbeaten Test series.

His appointment concludes the sweeping changes to the structure around the Australian team which stem from the Argus Report conducted in the wake of last summer’s home Ashes humiliation.

It follows the appointment of Howard as team performance manager and the introduction of a new selection panel comprising the national selector John Inverarity, captain Michael Clarke, selectors Rod Marsh and Andy Bichel and Arthur himself.

‘‘I think it’s a very exciting time,’’ said Arthur.

‘‘Australian cricket is in a very exciting phase.’’

Along with the rest of the panel, Arthur faces some immediate selection issues with question marks over the careers of veterans Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin as well as paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Arthur wouldn’t be drawn on former skipper Ponting’s future.

‘‘I’ll defer that to the first selection meeting,’’ Arthur said.

‘‘It’s hard coming in from the outside without knowing what is going on. That’s something for John Inverarity to take up.’’

Arthur didn’t expect to face any extra difficulty from being the first foreign coach of the national team.

‘‘I don’t think it will matter,’’ he said.

‘‘You get respect straight away when you get the job but you’ve actually got to earn it. I believe I can earn that with any team I’ve been with.

‘‘Ultimately, I guess you want a guy that is perceived to be the best for the job, irrespective of the nationality.’

Arthur will take up the position before the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane starting on December 1.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/arthur--picked-as--australias-new-head--cricket-coach-20111122-1ns27.html#ixzz1eOmkHGsj

I seem to remember he's not a big fan of Hughes and thought Ponting waved the white flag when he went down the order.

I'd have preferred Srixon myself, but we'll see.

Me too, Hass, but congrats to Arthur. Hopefully he can make a difference.

A golf ball would have been better than Leslie but I think Arthur will do OK ...as long as they listen

Arthur fell out with Graeme Smith.

That's probably what got him the Aus job.

seems a good appointment ....the final short list lacked quality tho

Moody could have been a good option. However is seems he might be one of the many good cricketing minds who has decided he wants the relaxed life of a commentator rather than the stressful job of a Coach.

So he's there to carry Clarke's bags?

Henry wrote:Arthur fell out with Graeme Smith.

That's probably what got him the Aus job.

Arthur is grouse.

I think its a case of out of the frying pan & into the fire. We get rid of the hapless Neilson & end up with the self promoting blowhard Arthur.
I guess time will tell but i'm girding myself for some more joyless summers.

Big Dog wrote:I think its a case of out of the frying pan & into the fire. We get rid of the hapless Neilson & end up with the self promoting blowhard Arthur.
I guess time will tell but i'm girding myself for some more joyless summers.

Dunno where the self promoting bit comes from. He was pretty anonymous in SA.