Steve Rixon to coach Australia in tour ODIs

National coach Mickey Arthur will miss the one-day component of the upcoming UAE tour, as Cricket Australia aims to get serious about this year's World Twenty20 tournament.

Fielding coach Steve Rixon will oversee Australia during Saturday's one-day international against Afghanistan, and the three ODIs against Pakistan.

Arthur will instead use the next two weeks to work on team tactics, strategies and opposition analysis for Australia's World T20 campaign, which starts on September 19 with a fixture against Ireland.

The South African will regain the reins for the three T20 internationals against Pakistan, Australia's last chance for match practice before they land in Sri Lanka for the T20 showpiece.

The plan is part of last year's Argus review recommendations.

"We have a very important T20 tournament coming up," Arthur said.

"I'll spend the time away from the team to really hone our T20 plans and study the opposition ahead of the ICC World Twenty20.

"We have great experience and harmony within our support staff group now and I know that Steve will do a terrific job in partnership with Justin Langer and Ali de Winter while I'm away".

While coach, Rixon will serve as a selector as Arthur normally would.

- AAP