July 17, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 01, 1428

KARACHI, July 16: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday named former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson as the new national coach to succeed Bob Woolmer, who died during the World Cup in the Caribbean in March.

Geoff Lawson, 49, was picked by a four-member PCB committee, edging out two other short-listed Australians, Dav Whatmore and Richard Done.

“Of the three, Lawson has been confirmed. We had three outstanding coaches,” PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said at a press conference.

Lawson was awarded a two-year contract open for renewal ‘as we want a coach to lead us to the 2011 World Cup’, Ashraf said.

The PCB chief said the board had sounded out the team before the appointment, but denied Australian reports that the board had wanted Whatmore yet chose Lawson because of the players’ wishes.

“We took opinions from the players and since only one coach had to be selected we chose the best one after a lot of work,” said Mr Ashraf.

Lawson, who took 180 wickets in 46 Tests and 88 in 79 one-day internationals for Australia between 1980 and 89, earlier confirmed that he had been offered the position.

He said earlier that he regarded the job — seen as one of the most difficult in the game — as `a wonderful challenge’.

“It's such a talented squad they have over there,” he told Sky News. “When you look at the class of player they have, you just have to be excited about being involved with them.”

Lawson has no direct experience as an international coach but has coached the New South Wales team in Australia.

“Pakistan have won matches through its fast bowlers and Lawson, being a fast bowler, will develop our bowlers,” Ashraf said.

Lawson said he expected to head to Lahore within a month to prepare for the Twenty-20 World Cup.

“What changes when we get there? Well, there'll probably be quite a few. I'm hoping to take a few more Australian personnel with me as well,” he said.—AFP