The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

South African Mickey Arthur named Australia coach

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 05:09 AM PST

MELBOURNE, Nov 22 — Former South Africa cricket coach Mickey Arthur today became the first foreign head coach of the Australian team, completing a sweeping revamp of management following their disastrous Ashes campaign last year.

The 43-year-old was in charge of the Proteas from 2005 until 2010 and had most recently been coaching Western Australia. His contract runs until after the 2015 World Cup, to be jointly held by Australia and New Zealand.

Arthur (picture) was presented at a media conference at Cricket Australia's headquarters in Melbourne, just hours after his new charges completed a tense two-wicket victory over his old team in Johannesburg.

He replaces former coach Tim Nielsen who resigned after the Australian tour of Sri Lanka in September. Troy Cooley had been in charge on an acting basis for the tour of South Africa.

"I don't think it'll matter," Arthur told reporters about being the first foreigner to coach the side, before adding he would look to seek permanent residency status in Australia.

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

Arthur beat out the challenge of former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon, who is the current fielding coach for the Australian side and was considered one of the favourites for the top job.

His appointment was the latest in a restructuring of the outfit that included the appointment of former Australia rugby international Pat Howard as CA's general manager for team performance and a revamp of the selection panel.

Former chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch and selector Greg Chappell were both ditched with John Inverarity named new full-time chairman of selectors, with former test players Rod Marsh and Andy Bichel as part-time selectors.

Captain Michael Clarke and Arthur will also act as selectors, while Arthur also takes an overall strategic view of the national team and will work with state coaches to aid in player development and pathways to the top level.

"I think it's a very exciting time," said Arthur.

"Australian cricket is in a very exciting phase (but)... getting to the top of the test rankings is something that just doesn't happen, because you need sustainable success over a period of time.

"We need a real good, strong squad system. I think young players need to be given quality opportunities to develop their games under pressure and hopefully we can create that environment for them to all perform."

Arthur's first series in charge will be a two-test series against New Zealand, starting in Brisbane on December 1, before Australia host India for a four-test series starting on December 26.

Questions have already turned to the future of senior players under Arthur's reign, with local media suggesting former captain Ricky Ponting's career could be ended at the conclusion of the series against India, if not sooner, though Arthur would not be drawn on the issue.

"We'll meet with John Inverarity and Michael Clarke down the line so I'll defer that (decision) to John Inverarity and the selection panel," Arthur said. — Reuters

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Beckham leaves Premier League door open

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 04:35 AM PST

LONDON, Nov 22 — David Beckham did not completely rule out a return to the Premier League today even though he said he could not see himself playing against his beloved Manchester United.

The 36-year-old midfielder, whose five-year contract at Los Angeles Galaxy is about to expire, said he wanted to continue playing and was open-minded about what team he joined next.

"When I was (on loan) at AC Milan I played against Man United. I'd not played there for seven years and it was special going back but it would be totally different going back there in a Premier League shirt," Beckham (picture) told Talksport radio.

"It's a club I love and adore," added the former England captain two days after helping the Galaxy lift the Major League Soccer (MLS) title.

"When I joined United I wanted to start and finish my career there but unfortunately that didn't happen. I could never see myself playing against United for another Premier League team but you never know ... stranger things have happened."

Beckham has previously trained with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to keep fit during the MLS off-season and there were moves for him to sign for Spurs on loan in January which narrowly failed to materialise.

He has since been linked with a transfer to Spurs and promoted Queens Park Rangers, as well as Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain.

When asked about a move to France, Beckham said: "Whenever a big club comes in for you it's a temptation. At 36, to still have a big European club after me means a lot.

"I've looked after myself and still feel fresh and that I can play at the top level.

"At the moment I'm still a Galaxy player and I said I'd finish this season, respect the contract I signed, which I've always done, and then sit down with my family and see how I feel and what's going to be best.

"None of the players at Galaxy want me to leave and, if I do leave, it will be sad. I've spent five years in the same team with the majority of these players and I've got to know them so well. It would be sad but we'll see," Beckham added.

"I still love playing and want to play."

He also re-iterated he would "love to play for the Great Britain team" at next year's London Olympics.

"Being involved in the bid team that got the Olympics to London was really incredible," said Beckham.

"For me, being from the East End of London, my granddad played football down there at Hackney Marshes, my dad played there, I did too, and to see what is going on there is great. To be part of the GB team would be a dream for me." — Reuters

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Selasa, 22 November 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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