Melbourne, Feb 19 Australian coach Time Nielsen has urged his players not to let off-field distractions occupy their minds and rather worry about the battles in the ongoing cricket tri-series.

Nielsen admitted that the Indian Premier League contract issue was could have an impact on his players' minds but was confident they would not get overwhelmed by the financial carrot dangling in front of them.

"There is no doubt those things going on have an impact on players. There are things going on in everybody's life every day of the week that are not related to cricket that we have got to deal with.

"This is one that is public. It's not having an impact we should be concerned about. We need to worry about watching the ball and hitting it, hopefully where there's no fieldsman," Nielsen was quoted as saying in 'The Age' today.

He was of the view that certainty on some issues would help players perform better but said until that happens, players should learn to live with it and excel.

"It will be nice to have some certainty, a bit the same with the Pakistan tour. But until the decision-makers get all the information they can, we have just got to live with what is going on and make sure we perform.

"It has been a long summer. There has been some issues outside just batting and bowling that have made it more difficult, but not for one second are we using that as an excuse inside the changerooms or out here. It's something we have to cope with," Nielsen said. (Agencies)