'I'm a traditionalist, I love Tests'
Tim Nielsen talks to Peter English, looking ahead to his first international season as coach
Peter English
31-Oct-2007
Tim Nielsen started his head coaching tenure with two limited-overs series, but the big assignment of overseeing and rebuilding Australia's Test team begins at the Gabba next week. He talks to Cricinfo about the Sri Lanka series, fitting into the squad, and the excitement of being in charge for a home game
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How have you found your first two months with the team?
It's been excellent. At the start I was taking a little bit of a back seat and understanding how everyone goes through their things. Now everyone is comfortable and they understand how I do things as well. Knowing how the players work individually has been very important. And it was a good result with the one-day series win in India. It's been great.
It's been excellent. At the start I was taking a little bit of a back seat and understanding how everyone goes through their things. Now everyone is comfortable and they understand how I do things as well. Knowing how the players work individually has been very important. And it was a good result with the one-day series win in India. It's been great.
So it's beginning to feel like your team?
At the start there was a stage when I just set things up and looked at how things were done and the different requirements. I got a better handle on things by seeing how the players and support staff wanted to contribute, and now we understand how to work on making everything click.
At the start there was a stage when I just set things up and looked at how things were done and the different requirements. I got a better handle on things by seeing how the players and support staff wanted to contribute, and now we understand how to work on making everything click.
When did you start preparing for the Sri Lanka series?
The management staff started to get things together for it in India, but we didn't give any information to the players while we were there. It was important to wait until after the Twenty20 match to start talking about Sri Lanka because it's easy for things to get too complicated. We'll talk about most things when we get to Brisbane to prepare for the first Test [November 8-12]. Until then we'll let them get ready themselves.
The management staff started to get things together for it in India, but we didn't give any information to the players while we were there. It was important to wait until after the Twenty20 match to start talking about Sri Lanka because it's easy for things to get too complicated. We'll talk about most things when we get to Brisbane to prepare for the first Test [November 8-12]. Until then we'll let them get ready themselves.
How hard is switching from one-day to Test planning?
It won't be easy. The players have only one four-day game before the Test. One benefit we had in India was, apart from Michael Clarke, every batsman made a considerable score. The bowlers did well and bowled six- to seven-over spells, which was up from the four overs during Twenty20. It will be good for them to get a roll on their Test preparations.
It won't be easy. The players have only one four-day game before the Test. One benefit we had in India was, apart from Michael Clarke, every batsman made a considerable score. The bowlers did well and bowled six- to seven-over spells, which was up from the four overs during Twenty20. It will be good for them to get a roll on their Test preparations.
Who will be tougher, India or Sri Lanka?
Both sides will be really tough, but one good thing for us is they are a bit similar. They have a couple of good fast bowlers, they rely on their spinners, and they have strong top-order batsmen. It's not a bad thing that we're playing similar sides in the same season. We might be able to get some rhythm instead of having to change depending on who we play against, like we've had to do in other seasons.
Both sides will be really tough, but one good thing for us is they are a bit similar. They have a couple of good fast bowlers, they rely on their spinners, and they have strong top-order batsmen. It's not a bad thing that we're playing similar sides in the same season. We might be able to get some rhythm instead of having to change depending on who we play against, like we've had to do in other seasons.
The series are broken up, but the games are close together. Is that a problem?
We will play two Tests back to back throughout the summer, so we will have only a couple of days' turnaround between games, if they go the distance. It will be important for guys to have a spell between the games, getting them fresh and doing a bit of work.
We will play two Tests back to back throughout the summer, so we will have only a couple of days' turnaround between games, if they go the distance. It will be important for guys to have a spell between the games, getting them fresh and doing a bit of work.
Do you have any input into the make-up of the team?
I'll probably have chats with the selectors, but they work out the way to go. It's going to be different this season because there have been some big changes: no [Shane] Warne, [Glenn] McGrath or [Justin] Langer. If the selectors have questions they want to ask me, then I'll speak with them. They'll also talk to Ricky Ponting and get all the information needed to make the right decisions.
I'll probably have chats with the selectors, but they work out the way to go. It's going to be different this season because there have been some big changes: no [Shane] Warne, [Glenn] McGrath or [Justin] Langer. If the selectors have questions they want to ask me, then I'll speak with them. They'll also talk to Ricky Ponting and get all the information needed to make the right decisions.
How does it feel approaching your first Test series?
It's very exciting and I can't wait. There is always a massive buzz around the first Test. I live in Brisbane now, so it's a home Test for me, and my family will be around at the Gabba. I'm a traditionalist, I love Tests, and I'm looking forward to the special feelings you get in each of the cities when there's a Test on.
It's very exciting and I can't wait. There is always a massive buzz around the first Test. I live in Brisbane now, so it's a home Test for me, and my family will be around at the Gabba. I'm a traditionalist, I love Tests, and I'm looking forward to the special feelings you get in each of the cities when there's a Test on.
Tim Nielsen is part of the Cricket Coaches Australia programme
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo