| Player: | MJ Clarke |
DateLine: 5th September 2009
Australian stand-in skipper Michael Clarke backed his coach Tim Nielsen who is taking a break after the first four ODIs against England.
As the coach returns home, his deputy Troy Cooley will take over the reigns in the final three ODI's. Nielsen will be rejoining the team in South Africa on September 22 as Australia prepares to defend its ICC Champions Trophy title.
"He's been away from home for a long time. Like the players, we get the opportunity to have a break every now and then, I think it's just as important for our support staff," Clarke said.
"There's going to be various times throughout everybody's career that they need a bit of time away from the game," he was quoted as saying by 'Herald Sun'.
"He's looking forward to spending a week at home.
"The players have the utmost respect for the coach and within the team we know we can continue to perform when 'Vinny's' gone, but he's a huge part of our team and giving him what's probably going to be a week off, I think it's the least we can do," Clarke said.
