Nielsen laments lack of Australia 'leaders'

17 Jun, 2013

Former Australia coach Tim Nielsen said on Sunday the current side were suffering from a lack of leaders. Australia's Champions Trophy campaign, which has seen the title-holders struggle on the field, has been overshadowed by the ban handed out to batsman David Warner for his Birmingham bar-room attack on England's Joe Root.
Warner was suspended until the start of the Ashes by Cricket Australia on Thursday and fined Aus$11,500 ($11,000, £7,000). Nielsen coached Australia from 2007 to 2011 and could call on the likes of senior players such as star batsman Ricky Ponting, now retired from international duty and playing for English county Surrey.
"Probably the biggest difference between a lot of great sides is that strength of leadership of your players," Nielsen told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme on Sunday.
"It doesn't necessarily mean they have to have captain next to their name. They (experienced, senior players) expect behaviour and they understand what is expected of them, just through experience.
"If they see young players jumping out of line they quietly and quickly jump in to ensure they straighten them up.

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