Nielsen takes leave during England tour

Melbourne:

Under fire Australia coach Tim Nielsen will take time off during the limited-overs series in England, leaving his assistant in charge of the national team for three matches in the wake of the Ashes series loss.

Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday that Nielsen, who has presided over losses to India, South Africa and England in three of the last four test series as Australia's ranking slipped from No. 1 to No. 4, would return to Adelaide after the fourth ODI against England on Sept. 13 to spend time with his young family.

Troy Cooley, a bowling coach who helped England in its shock 2005 Ashes series win, will guide the Australians for the last three one-dayers in England.

Nielsen will rejoin the team on Sept. 22 in South Africa, where Australia will attempt to defend its Champions Trophy title.

"The Australian team has played back-to-back international cricket since September 2008 and looking at the busy schedule over the next 12 months, we believe it is the right time for Tim to take a break," Michael Brown, CA's general manager of cricket, said in a statement. "This will also provide an excellent opportunity for Tim's assistant, Troy Cooley, to continue his professional development by stepping up as Acting Coach for the remainder of the tour."

Nielsen succeeded John Buchanan as coach after Australia won the 2007 World Cup, but his period in charge has coincided with the retirements of some of the sport's greatest players, leaving him with the task of rebuilding the national team.

Buchanan was among those who said the coaching structure for the national team needed to be reviewed in the wake of the 2-1 Ashes series loss last month in England.