Graham Ford declines offer

Graham Ford has turned down the offer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to become the new coach of the Indian cricket team. He has chosen to stay on with the English county Kent as its Director of Cricket.
The 46-year-old South African, who was recommended by a seven-member BCCI panel to its working committee here on Saturday for the job of the new Indian coach, said in a statement released by Kent, "I am very grateful to the Club for allowing me to go to India and find out more about the job of coaching the Indian team. I have had the chance to reflect on the offer made by the BCCI and their urgency to fill the vacant position. After careful consideration, I have decided to continue my work with Kent. This has been a really difficult decision. I am honoured that India have shown such interest in my capabilities, but feel that this is the right decision for me and my family."

Graham Ford will be the new coach of the Indian cricket team. The former South African coach will initially be given a one-year term by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
It was at 10.30 p.m. on Saturday that the BCCI Treasurer N. Srinivasan told the media, "Under the chairmanship of Sharad Pawar, the committee has decided to recommend the name of Graham Ford to the Working Committee, which will meet on June 12."
Mr. Srinivasan added that Ford would consult his employer Kent — he is the director of cricket at the English county — before informing the BCCI about the date he would join the Indian team.
The favourite before the race, he has beaten the candidature of former England off-spinner John Emburey, Ford was backed by senior Indian cricketers. His name was proposed by former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri.

The selection process for picking the new coach lasted nearly two hours. Both the candidates made power-point presentations before the BCCI committee.

Former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar, S. Venkatraghavan and Ravi Shastri were present with Mr. Srinivasan when the name of the coach was announced. Mr. Pawar was a part of the interview panel.

The South African cricketers who are here for the Afro-Asia Cup have been appreciative of Ford's methods. Celebrated all-rounder Shaun Pollock and coach Mickey Arthur have spoken highly of Ford's credentials.

The 46-year-old Ford has made a name for himself as an industrious, efficient coach. He guided Natal to the domestic first-class and one-day titles in the 1996-97 season.

Ford's work with Pollock, with emphasis on his run-up, has been acknowledged. His man-management skills have also been taken note of.

He is also known to be a hard taskmaster during practice sessions, someone who lays great emphasis on fitness. Emburey was invited for his presentation at 8.40 p.m. and then Ford followed.

Earlier, Ford and Emburey arrived in the city at 6 a.m. from London in the same flight, which was delayed by two hours.

It was not until 7.20 p.m. when Ford and Emburey walked in for their presentations at a city hotel. The duo was greeted with flashbulbs, with cameramen fighting for vantage positions.The two were followed by the BCCI treasurer N. Srinivasan. Then, two members of the special three-man panel, Venkatraghavan and Shastri, made their appearance together at 7.35 p.m.

The other member of the committee, Sunil Gavaskar, who arrived in the evening from Goa, made an entry at 8.35 p.m.

source: the hindu