Arthur says Oz yet to decide on anyone for batting coach role

Sydney: Australia coach Mickey Arthur has claimed they are yet to finalise on any name for the vacant batting coach position with the team following Stuart Law’s decision to quit.

Australia`s batting resources have been rocked to the core both on and off the field and picking the right person for the national team batting coach could be the most important selection they make with the India tour and Ashes looming, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Nearly 250 matches worth of Test experience have been drained from the line-up by the retirements of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey. Not to mention the huge loss of batting mentor Justin Langer, and now the departure of his successor Law announced by Cricket Australia on Sunday. With an Indian series beginning next month before the Ashes tour starts in July, the timing of the mass exodus couldn`t be worse. The batting line-up heading into India and the Ashes is almost entirely unsettled. Arthur said a permanent specialist is yet to be decided upon, but Dean Jones will work with the side for the first two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka starting this week. Arthur added they are yet to finalise the broader batting coach role so this is opportunity to have some former players with the team as specialists during the (ODIs). The South African added that they have quite a young ODI squad at the moment with a firm eye on the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, and added that to have the knowledge of one of Australia`s best ever one-day players (Jones) with the team for a couple of games will be invaluable for the group. ANI