June 11, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 25, 1428

CHENNAI, June 10: Graham Ford of South Africa has been selected as India's new cricket coach, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Saturday.

A seven-member board panel picked Ford over Englishman John Emburey, the only other candidate for one of the most high-profile jobs in cricket, after closed-door interviews in Chennai.

“The panel decided to appoint Ford initially for a period of one year,” the board's treasurer, N. Srinivasan, told reporters.

“He will let us know by next week when he can join us,” he added.

Ford's first major assignment with the Indian team will be three one-day internationals against South Africa in Belfast, Northern Ireland in June ahead of a full Test tour of England from July.

Both Ford and Emburey declined to speak to reporters after the late-night interviews at a plush local hotel.

Veteran South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock, in India for the Afro-Asian series, hailed Ford as a ‘fantastic’ coach.

“Graham coached me at Natal even before I played for South Africa,” said Pollock.

“He was fantastic. He prefers to be in the backroom and gives more than 100 per cent and works really hard.

“If the Indian board is looking for such a guy, then Ford is the right person. I wish him luck,” he added.—AFP