Now, a baseball coach for Oz!

Australia will use baseball coach Mike Young as a fielding consultant to help their World Cup defence next year, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.

Young, who has worked part-time with the Australian team for the past six years, will also coach young players at CA's new Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

"Mike will be working across a number of programs within Australian cricket with his area of expertise in fielding and throwing," Michael Brown, CA's general manager, said in a statement.

"His coaching background in baseball also adds much value in terms of his general coaching knowledge."

Young has 25 years coaching experience with American baseball teams, including the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.

"Many of the cricketers I will be working with will play a large part in Australian teams of the future so to get them on the same track as the elite men's squad is excellent in terms of continuity," Young said.

"In terms of athletes and the fielding performance of Australia in one-day and now test matches we're at the top of the tree, my job over the next 12 months is to ensure we stay there."

First Published: Apr 27, 2006 10:48 IST