14 Dec 2011

New coach trying to cobble together a team for Indian series

6:43 am on 14 December 2011

The nightmare continues for Australia's new cricket coach Mickey Arthur who's trying to cobble together a team for the home series against India starting on Boxing Day.

The shock test loss to New Zealand and a spate of injuries are frustrating Arthur as he tries to rebuild a fragile test team.

Another major complication is the advent of the Big Bash League which has forced a seven week break in the Sheffield Shield competition, meaning there'll be no first class cricket for players to impress the selectors during the entire four test series against India.