Cricket Australia officials hope to announce a new coach in February to ensure a smooth transition after the World Cup, Jon Pierik reports in the Herald Sun.

The search for John Buchanan's replacement as Australian cricket coach will begin in the next month, with Tim Nielsen and Tom Moody emerging as favourites. A Cricket Australia sub-committee, which includes former captains Mark Taylor and Allan Border, will discuss who should guide Australia through a major rebuilding era.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will have a crucial vote, with whoever he favours expected to get the job. While Nielsen and Moody are the favourites, CA is expected to sound out the likes of other Australian coaches working abroad including Greg Chappell (India), Bennett King (West Indies) and Dav Whatmore (Bangladesh).

In The Courier-Mail Ben Dorries claims England will send a shadow squad to Australia to support the first-choice Ashes outfit.