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Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – The intrigue around the future of India’s outgoing, World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten continued on Monday with new reports suggesting he may hook up next with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This follows reports in the South African press pouring cold water, it seems, on the prospect of Kirsten taking the reins this winter as Proteas head coach – despite the public clamour for him to do so only having intensified with India’s triumph over Sri Lanka in the weekend’s World Cup final.
The Times of India says Kirsten’s “next assignment” could be in the 2012 IPL – the latest one begins this week – which would mean reuniting with veteran batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who has been among leading Indian players singing Kirsten’s praises after his three years with their national side.
“According to sources, Kirsten will not be joining the Tendulkar-led team this season, but he has been lined up for the job next year.
“Mumbai Indians have already engaged former South African paceman Shaun Pollock as their mentor-cum-bowling coach this season. (They) are in touch with Kirsten and he may join the team next year,” a source was quoted as telling the paper.
It also said Kirsten was reportedly in talks with Australian franchise New South Wales to look after their Twenty20 campaign.
Such rumours would fall in line with Kirsten’s already-stated desire to spend a significant period with his Cape Town-based family after his heady stint with India, which included driving them to No 1 in the Test rankings.
It is safe to say that Kirsten will be financially “more than comfortable” -- and then some -- following his stint with cricket’s superpower in every respect, so immediate top-level re-employment may simply not suit him.
My own information remains that Kirsten was initially reluctant to contemplate coaching South Africa but then began to change his mind again in recent weeks, as CSA made very strong overtures to him.
With Cricket South Africa yet to put out their shortlist of candidates and suggesting that they may delay the actual appointment until June, which gives Kirsten some of the breathing space he has desired anyway, all possibilities may yet remain open ...
Cape Town – The intrigue around the future of India’s outgoing, World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten continued on Monday with new reports suggesting he may hook up next with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This follows reports in the South African press pouring cold water, it seems, on the prospect of Kirsten taking the reins this winter as Proteas head coach – despite the public clamour for him to do so only having intensified with India’s triumph over Sri Lanka in the weekend’s World Cup final.
The Times of India says Kirsten’s “next assignment” could be in the 2012 IPL – the latest one begins this week – which would mean reuniting with veteran batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who has been among leading Indian players singing Kirsten’s praises after his three years with their national side.
“According to sources, Kirsten will not be joining the Tendulkar-led team this season, but he has been lined up for the job next year.
“Mumbai Indians have already engaged former South African paceman Shaun Pollock as their mentor-cum-bowling coach this season. (They) are in touch with Kirsten and he may join the team next year,” a source was quoted as telling the paper.
It also said Kirsten was reportedly in talks with Australian franchise New South Wales to look after their Twenty20 campaign.
Such rumours would fall in line with Kirsten’s already-stated desire to spend a significant period with his Cape Town-based family after his heady stint with India, which included driving them to No 1 in the Test rankings.
It is safe to say that Kirsten will be financially “more than comfortable” -- and then some -- following his stint with cricket’s superpower in every respect, so immediate top-level re-employment may simply not suit him.
My own information remains that Kirsten was initially reluctant to contemplate coaching South Africa but then began to change his mind again in recent weeks, as CSA made very strong overtures to him.
With Cricket South Africa yet to put out their shortlist of candidates and suggesting that they may delay the actual appointment until June, which gives Kirsten some of the breathing space he has desired anyway, all possibilities may yet remain open ...
