Australia appoint Rixon as fielding coach By ESPN News Feed

Australia's off-season coaching appointments have been completed with Steve Rixon, the former wicketkeeper, named as the new fielding coach. Rixon joins the new bowling coach Craig McDermott and the assistant Justin Langer as the panel that will help the head coach Tim Nielsen as Australia aim to climb their way back up the Test rankings.

Rixon, 57, has replaced Mike Young, the former baseballer who spent the best part of a decade working with the Australia team. A gloveman who played 13 Tests and six one-day internationals for Australia, Rixon has also had a lengthy coaching career, in charge of New South Wales and New Zealand during the 1990s before a second stint with New South Wales; in total he steered the Blues to four Sheffield Shield titles.

It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Rixon, though, and a two-year appointment with Surrey ended unsuccessfully. He also joined the now-defunct Indian Cricket League, before finding a job as an assistant to Stephen Fleming with the two-time champions the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and he helped them win the Champions League in 2010.

Australia news

Terry Jenner dies after long illness

Terry Jenner, the former Australian legspinner and noted bowling coach of Shane Warne, has died after a long period of ill health. He was 66.

Taking part in nine Tests for Australia between 1970 and 1975, reaping 24 wickets at 31.20, Jenner found life difficult following his playing days, and in 1988 was jailed for embezzlement related to gambling debts. He re-emerged in middle age as the mentor of Warne, helping to mould a prolific talent and then popping up for a chat and a coaching session whenever Warne needed a tune-up. This role was as fruitful for Jenner's public rehabilitation as it was for Warne's bowling.

Australia Cricket News

Beer, Krejza duel for Sri Lanka berth

Michael Beer's chances of adding to his first Test wicket will hinge on his fortunes alongside Jason Krejza in Zimbabwe © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Michael Beer | Ben Hilfenhaus | Jason Krejza | Chris Lynn | Nathan Lyon | Tim Paine

Series/Tournaments: Australia A tour of Zimbabwe

Teams: Australia

Michael Beer and Jason Krejza have both been included in the squad for Australia A's tour of Zimbabwe, and will use the opportunity to duel for a Test spin-bowling berth. Ben Hilfenhaus has been given a chance to show his international career is not fading away after the Ashes. The squad for the four-day matches against Zimbabwe was announced on Monday and has a strong Test team component, as the national selectors ponder their options ahead of tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa.