Cricket Australia appointed former Australia wicketkeeper Steve Rixon as the new fielding coach of the national team. The 57-year-old Rixon replaced American Mike Young, who is also fielding coach for the Deccan Chargers of the Indian Premier League.
Rixon will join Australia on its upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa, acting Cricket Australia chief executive Michael Brown said. The newly-appointed trainer revealed his delight at being chosen to be the fielding coach of the Australian team.
"I am thrilled with this appointment and look forward to working with the Australian team over the next two tours," Rixon said in a statement. "Fielding skills play such an important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing."
The former Australia international has vast coaching experience having coached New Zealand, Australian state team New South Wales and Indian Cricket League side Hyderabad Heroes, while he is also the current fielding coach of IPL champions the Chennai Super Kings.
"I feel my experience firstly as a player and, more importantly, a successful coach across the world can help many of these young Australian players, together with the outstanding group of assistants Tim Nielsen has at his disposal," Rixon said.
Brown said Rixon's input to the team would be "invaluable."
"The group of coaches we now have in place has a great blend of coaching expertise and cricket experience to benefit this developing Australian side, and Steve has an important role to play as we move forward," he concluded.