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'No place to hide' for Australia's batsmen

'No place to hide' for Australia's batsmen
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

New Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto says he is fully aware of the size of the task ahead of him as he prepares for a demanding year of cricket.

The 39-year-old Tasmanian was unveiled on Friday, and faces a heavy workload as the side contemplates life without mainstays Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, and juggles where best to play Shane Watson.

This month the side jets off for a four-Test tour of India, followed by back-to-back Ashes series home and away and finally a three-Test tour of South Africa.

But Di Venuto is looking forward to the challenge of leaving his own stamp on the side, and can't wait to get down to business.

"It is a tough time, we've got a couple of tough tours coming up in India and the UK so there's no place to hide," Di Venuto said at Blundstone Arena on Friday.

"The legends have retired, the greats have retired and the very good Test players have retired.

"We've got a bunch of talented cricketers but (who) are yet to probably put up their hand and say 'I really want to be a Test cricketer'.

"That's the challenge of our coaching staff, to get the best out of them and watch them stand up and become proper Australian cricketers."

Di Venuto, who coached Tasmania for the past four-and-a-half years, pointed to his relative youth as one of the strengths he will bring to his new job.

"I come from the old school but I've played through the new era as well so I'm fully up to speed with how guys act and behave these days," he said.

"I'm really comfortable in what I do and what I can bring to the batting (coach) role."

Di Venuto said his contribution to the career of Australian opener, and his fellow Tasmanian, Ed Cowan was one of the things he was most proud of during his stint with the Tigers.

"Obviously the success of Ed Cowan, going through," he said.

"He came down here as an average player from New South Wales, came in and really added some steel to our batting order and showed how good a player he can be.

"We take great pride in that."

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