Cricket Australia fields queries on absent coach Mike Young

AUSTRALIA's blueprint to reclaim the Ashes has come under fire following revelations the team's specialist fielding coach has been snubbed for three of the five Tests against England.

Despite Australia dropping 10 catches in the opening two Tests, fielding guru Mike Young has learned his services will not be required in Melbourne and Sydney for the Tests that could decide the Ashes.

And while Australia slumped to an innings defeat last week at the Adelaide Oval, Young hailed by Adam Gilchrist as the secret weapon in the 2003 World Cup win watched the capitulation 2000km away in Brisbane.

Young's absence for the second Test has sparked concern among leading Australian players, who have questioned why their specialist fielding coach is not available for every match of such a crucial campaign.

Used for the first Test in Brisbane, he flies to Perth today to rejoin the Australian camp for the third Test at the WACA Ground.

Ricky Ponting's side has been uncharacteristically sloppy in the field, with Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty and Brad Haddin all grassing chances to ease the pressure on England in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Young, who attended every home Test under former coach John Buchanan during Australia's 5-0 rout in 2006-07, is desperate to help reignite Australia's fortunes in the field.

CA spokesman Peter Young said: "Mike is one of the specialists who comes in from time to time but he doesn't travel full-time with the team.

"He is normally most focused with the team around one-day cricket and short form cricket and he is part of our planning for the ICC World Cup in 2011.

"But he is not part of the normal Test cricket scene with our side."

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