Nielsen: Our aim is to be consistent

Australia's coach Tim Nielsen, who is under the scanner ever since his team's Ashes defeat, says they are aiming for consistency rather than regaining the number one spot in Test ranking.

Australia are currently ranked fifth in Tests and have managed to hold on to their number-one ranking in the ODIs despite their quarterfinals exit in the 2011 World Cup.

The Kangaroos will have the chane to better its position in Tests when they begin their Sri Lanka tour in August. Nielsen will also be desperate to prove his critics wrong.

"We are not even thinking about No.1," Nielsen was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Monday.

"To get to No.4 then No.3 (and so on) in the Test rankings and maintain our hold on the No.1 ranking in one-day cricket, we need our players to be as consistent as they can be. To prepare the team for Sri Lanka is my only worry at the moment."

Nielsen admitted that he was hurt after being criticised in the wake of Ashes' performance.

"You don't like it, being singled out - let's be honest. It is hard at times but when we play like the Ashes you stand up and cop it on the chin just like the players on the field. There was a lot of talk about being outcoached in the Ashes and it is hard to argue with that.

"If it (criticism) doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. And we are looking forward to getting better."

Cricket Australia's review in the wake of the team's 1-3 loss to England in the series led to major changes in the structure of the coaching staff.
Though Nielsen was retained with his contract lasting till the 2011-2012 season, former Test player Steve Rixon, Justin Langer and Craig Mcdermott were roped in to assist the embattled.