/ 27 November 2007

Kirsten in line for India coaching job

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten is being considered for the vacant India cricket coach job, the Indian board said on Tuesday.

Kirsten (40) was interviewed by members of the board’s special coach committee on Monday, secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement and a decision is expected within a week.

India have been without a coach since Australian Greg Chappell resigned after their first-round exit at the World Cup in March and the team has had interim managers since the tour of Bangladesh in May.

South African Graham Ford turned the coach’s job down in June and the board has since advertised the post. Shah told reporters on Monday that the committee had received more than 20 applications for the job but did not divulge names.

Kirsten played 101 Tests and 185 one-day internationals for South Africa in an 11-year career that ended in 2004.

India hold a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in their current Test series and travel to Australia next month for a four-test series. – Reuters