Nielsen extends Australia tenure

Tim Nielsen, who has signed a new two-year deal, faces the task of arresting Australia's slide in form

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Tim Nielsen has agreed to remain as head coach of Australia until the end of the 2011 World Cup.

Nielsen's current contract was due to expire at the conclusion of the 2009 Ashes tour of England, but the new deal will keep the former wicketkeeper-batsman at the helm for a further two years.

The 40-year-old succeeded John Buchanan after the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, with his first official match in charge coming in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa, where Australia made the semi-finals.

We were really comfortable with the initial appointment of Tim Nielsen as Australian team coach,” said Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland.

"We continue to be impressed by the way he goes about his job. We're obviously delighted that Tim's going to be with us for this extended period and we know that players and administrators have great confidence in his ability.

"We're pleased to be able to extend his contract with us until the conclusion of the 2011 ICC World Cup, where Australia will be defending champions."

Nielsen is widely seen being in charge of a team in decline, with the retirements of several star players such as Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne ensuring the undisputed number one team in world cricket has fallen back to the pack after more than a decade of dominance.

Australia are trailing South Africa 1-0 heading into the Boxing Day Test, the first time Australia have found themselves behind after the opening Test of a series since the West Indies tour of 1987/88.

They face the prospect of losing their first home series since being beaten 2-1 by West Indies in 1992/93.