Arthur defends Nixon`s position as Oz spin coach despite Indian debacle

Sydney: Head coach Mickey Arthur has defended former wicketkeeper Steve Nixon`s positions as the spin coach of the Australian team, saying they have full trust in the former glove man`s calibre.

However, Arthur insisted Australia would reconsider how best to mentor its spin bowlers after the series in India unless their performances improve in the remaining two Tests. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was dropped after the first Test in Chennai and the duo of Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell had mixed outings in the hiding in Hyderabad that left Australia down 2-0. Rixon`s responsibilities as fielding coach were widened late last year to incorporate supervision over slow bowling, but there have been questions as to why an ex-glove man has been overseeing the team`s spin contingent and why a specialist spin coach was not appointed, the paper said. Arthur said the arrangement would be revisited if the spinners Lyon, Doherty and Maxwell did not enjoy more success in the final two Tests in Mohali, starting on Thursday, and Delhi. Arthur claimed they would reassess that at the end of the year and see how it`s gone, but for the time being Rixon is putting a hell of a lot of effort into our spin bowlers and ultimately at some stage they`ve got to take responsibility as well. Arthur added they are giving them everything, adding Nixon is working exceptionally hard with them and if it doesn`t work, and it hasn`t worked by the end of this tour, they would certainly be reassessing that and having a look as to what the best way forward is for their spin bowlers. Meanwhile, former Test leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has been appointed as a part-time consultant to mentor the country`s emerging spinners at Cricket Australia`s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. ANI