Former Australia bowler Damian Fleming has admitted that he is "shocked" by the decision to sack coach Mickey Arthur.

The 45-year-old was removed form his position just weeks before the Ashes and will reportedly be replaced by Darren Lehmann.

Fleming told BBC Sport: "I'm shocked at the timing [but] I would have thought he was on thin ice with the performances of the team on the field in the last six months, particularly that disastrous Indian tour where we lost 4-0, but also what's been happening off the field.

"It just shows for me that they're not united and for the leadership within the Australian team, that's the biggest job, to make sure everyone's going in the right direction and that hasn't appeared to be happening in the last six months."

Arthur was appointed coach in November 2011 and the Baggy Greens won 10 out of the 19 Tests during his tenure.