Brad Haddin and Tim Nielsen watches from the dressing room balcony during the third day of the opening Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka in Galle.—AFP

SYDNEY: Australia head coach Tim Nielsen has decided to step down rather than reapply for his job, Cricket Australia said Tuesday.

Nielsen would have been forced to reapply for a position he had held for more than four years, after a seven-month review into the way Australian cricket is run recommended that the role of national team coach should be expanded and refined.

The report came after Australia's loss of a home Ashes series to England last season.

Rather than go through that process, Nielsen decided ''to begin a new chapter in his professional life,'' Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said.

In a statement on the Cricket Australia website, Nielsen said he would be taking up a different role in Australian cricket that has yet to be announced.

''It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the Australian cricket team in the role of head coach for the last four and half years,'' Nielsen said.

''Throughout that period we have had some great success as well as experiencing some tough times.''

Nielsen coached Australia in 15 test series between 2007 and 2011, winning nine, losing five and drawing one.

Australia is currently ranked No. 1 in one-day cricket. Nielsen coached Australia in 25 one-day international series, overseeing 17 wins, seven losses and one draw.

Australia wrapped up a series win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday by drawing the third and final test in Colombo.