Australia 'Sack Coach Mickey Arthur Two Weeks before Ashes'

Cricket Australia (CA) have reportedly sacked South African Mickey Arthur as coach of the national team, just two weeks before the Ashes.

News.com.au believes former Australian Test batsman Darren Lehmann will replace the South African, after a series of poor results in both test and one-day cricket.

Reports from Australian media sources also state that Test and ODI captain Michael Clarke has resigned as a national selector. It is unclear whether the 32-year-old will retain captaincy of the squad for the summer's tests, the first of which starts on 10 July at Trent Bridge.

There has been no confirmation from CA over these developments but they have called a press conference in Bristol for Monday evening. According to the organisation's official website, chief executive James Sutherland and executive general manager (team performance) Pat Howard will be present.

Arthur's dismissal follows a series of poor performances by the national side this year. The tour of India in February and March ended badly, with the Australians losing all four Tests by a wide margin.

Things got worse when Australia arrived for the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, despite a win in the first warm-up match against West Indies. Arthur and his charges slumped to defeat in the second warm-up match against India after being bowled out for just 65, before two defeats in three group stage games (the third was a No Result) resulted in early elimination from the tournament.

Nevertheless, the South African remained confident for the Ashes series, telling BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra last week that "Australia have the best bowling attack in the world".

"I'm talking depth wise, if we pick up an injury we have got somebody who can rock up and be just as effective - I think that's a massive boost for us," the 45-year-old explained, adding, "If we play for each other and the badge, it will be extremely powerful.

"If our batsmen get enough runs, we have a really good chance in this Ashes series because I'm confident we will get 20 wickets."

Arthur made 6,657 first class runs at an average 33.45 during his playing days and had two more years left on his Australia contract. The former Orange Free State batsman has a good record with Australia, having won 10 of 19 Tests.