Cricket World Cup: Greg Blewett set to take sole ownership of Aussie fielding coach gig

AUSTRALIA’S unique arrangement of having Michael Young and Greg Blewett as dual-fielding experts is set to come to an end at the conclusion of the World Cup.

CWC: Australia training, Bellerive Oval. BYLINE: LUKE BOWDEN: (L-R): Shane Watson, Darren Lehmann and Greg Blewett at training

AS a big-talking American from the mid-west, Australia’s World Cup fielding coach Mike Young might already be familiar with the phrase; ‘this town ain’t big enough for the two of us’.

But if he’s not, he’s about to find out.

Australia’s unique arrangement of having Young and Greg Blewett as dual-fielding experts is set to come to an end after the showpiece tournament concludes.

Former Test star Blewett has confirmed he’s signed a three-year deal with Cricket Australia and is under the impression Young will be shipping out.

Greg Blewett works with Darren Lehmann and Shane Watson at training.

Young was brought in as a special consultant for the World Cup campaign, given his successful involvement with Australia at tournaments past, namely the victorious years of 2003 and 2007.

Coincidentally, his appointment coincided with Australia coming off two straight Test series against Pakistan and India of looking uncharacteristically sluggish in the field.

But Blewett says he’s signed on to be the sole fielding coach heading into the winter tours of West Indies and the Ashes.

“I’ve just signed on with Cricket Australia for three years,” answered Blewett when asked whether he was interested in a coaching stint at the struggling South Australia.

Asked if Young would continue on in his consultancy capacity post the World Cup, Blewett said he believed the job would be his exclusively, but praised the former American baseballer for boosting his knowledge base.

“Not as far as I know. I think Youngy has just been employed to work with the World Cup,” said Blewett.

“I think it’s his fourth World Cup so he’s an experienced campaigner.

Michael Young looks to be moving on after the World Cup.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him.

“I’ve learnt a lot from Youngy. It’s been great to have him around.

“But as far as I’m aware, his contract runs up to the end of the World Cup.”

Australia’s fielding has been electric so far this tournament, traditionally a sign the team is playing its best cricket.

Dozens of catches were dropped in the UAE last year and then in the home summer against India, and Blewett puts much of that down to physical, mental and emotional fatigue.

“I think during the Test match series, with what happened at the start of the series obviously with Phillip Hughes, and coming off the Pakistan series, we just faced a lot of time in the field,” he said.

“We came up against quality batsmen and we just spent a long time in the field and I think there was a fair bit of fatigue going into that series.

“But for the one-day cricket, the World Cup – I think everyone had a couple of weeks off, and freshened up nicely.

“It’s more about attitude than anything, so the boys are flying.”

To inspire Australia in the field this World Cup, Blewett compiled a tape of some of the nation’s greatest ever one-day run-outs and catches for the players to watch.

Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds featured heavily.