Rixon named Australia fielding coach

SYDNEY: Former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon was Tuesday appointed Australia's new fielding coach for their upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The former Australian wicket-keeper replaces Mike Young, who is now working with South Africa.

Rixon played 13 Tests from 1977 to 1985 for Australia and is a former coach of not just New Zealand, but also New South Wales and Surrey in the English county championship.

He has also worked with two-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings.

"Fielding skills play such an important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing," said Rixon, 57.

"The Australian team has long been known as one of the best fielding sides in world cricket and my job will not only be to maintain the good work done before, but be about setting the benchmark for opposition sides."

Australia are due to play three Tests, five one-day matches and two Twenty20 games during their August 6 to September 20 tour of Sri Lanka.

They head to South Africa in October for two Tests, four one-dayers and two Twenty20s.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011