Hunt for coach hots up |
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Tuesday May 29, 02:13 AM
EVEN THOUGH Dav Whatmore is the hot favourite for India coach, other alternatives might be looked at too. According to sources, one of them is current Kent coach Graham Ford.
Ford played for Natal from 1982 to 1990 and later became their coach. In 1999, he took charge of the South African national team, and they won nine of the 11 series under him. It is not clear whether Ford is himself interested or not but apparently, he has come in for high praise from "several players from around the world", and sources say that players feel that this option should be investigated further. At the same time, Ford has a contract with Kent till 2008. Also, the names of a few other state-level coaches from Australia and England are doing the rounds.
On Monday, the BCCI insisted a decision has not been taken on Greg Chappell's successor, and will not be taken before the coach selection committee meets on June 4. "It's not that Whatmore is the only option. Other names can be discussed too," said the BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah on Monday. "I can't say who these guys exactly are and #8230; We cannot reach a decision before discussing the matter."
MP Pandove, one of the members of the coach selection committee, said there was no certainty about the next coach being a foreigner. "Everything will be discussed at the meeting - recommendations will be made, names will be deliberated upon. Names of Indian candidates will also be discussed. There is nothing to suggest that the new coach has to be from overseas. And after the meeting, our working committee will take a final call on this."
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