Chennai: Contenders for the post of the Indian team cricket coach, Graham Ford and John Emburey, will appear before the BCCI panel here on Saturday evening.

The Board is likely to give a verdict the same night, although the decision will have to be ratified by its working committee. This is considered a formality since the BCCI President Sharad Pawar will be a part of Saturday's selection process.

According to reliable Board sources, Ford is the front-runner at the moment. However, the same sources indicated that much hinged on how the two men presented their credentials to the special three-member committee consisting of former India captains Sunil Gavaskar, S. Venkatraghavan and Ravi Shastri.

Excellent presentation

It was Greg Chappell's impressive presentation that clinched the coach's job for him two years ago. "What impact they make on the panel will be a significant factor. For a start, both need to pass muster," said the sources.

The question here is whether the BCCI is willing to consider more names at a later date if it is not satisfied with the two claimants? This is highly unlikely — India's campaign in England looms large — but the prospect cannot be ruled out.

The name of Ford has been suggested by the senior players, and put forward by Shastri. Gavaskar has shown his interest in Emburey. Much could depend on whom Venkatraghavan backs.

Ford, the Director of coaching at Kent, is known to be a quiet achiever. His man-management skills, a strong criterion for selection, have come in for praise.

The 46-year-old Natal-born Ford was the late Bob Woolmer's understudy in the South African team during the 1999 World Cup in England.

After the event concluded, he was given the reins. Ford soon earned a name for himself as an efficient coach, who stayed away from spotlight. Cricketers such as Lance Klusener revealed how he would give each of the players a separate, patient hearing. Under Ford, South Africa won nine out of the 11 series it played.

However, he was the South African coach when the match-fixing scandal broke out in the 2000-2001 season. Ford too came under scrutiny, lost his job. In his defence Ford has said, "the wrongdoing started much before my time as coach. They were exposed shortly after I took over."

Creditable credentials

Former England captain John Emburey has commendable credentials as player. The former off-spinner has 147 wickets (at 38.40) and 1713 runs (at 22.53) in 64 Tests. The bowler with an easy, high-arm action picked 76 wickets in 61 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.10. He troubled batsmen with bounce and clever use of the crease. His 18 wickets were crucial in England's 2-1 Ashes triumph down under in 1986-87. Emburey is reputed to be a good student of the game, who stresses technique.

Ford, in contrast, played just seven first class games for Natal `B,' making 43 runs in all.

But then, Emburey has no experience with an international side, and his time as the Middlesex coach has been a chequered one. The side was relegated this season; Richard Pybus was brought in as coach. Emburey was subsequently made the Director of Coaching in the county.

Qualities

The qualities the three-member committee will be looking for are: man-managements skills, technical attributes, motivational ability and the ability to spot and hone talent.

Both Ford and Emburey have delayed their arrival in the city. They would be landing here in the early hours of Saturday. A busy day awaits them. The winner takes it all.

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