Pakistan show interest in Mickey Arthur as coach

SYDNEY: A potential spanner has been thrown in the works in recruitment of a new Australian cricket head coach, with Pakistan also said to be interested in signing one of favourites for the job, Mickey Arthur, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

He is considered as one of the lead candidates to be appointed to an expanded role, which also includes a seat on the five-man selection panel.

Reports suggest Arthur is the frontrunner for the position, although he played down prospects of a move to oversee the national team after arriving in Melbourne for the Warriors’ Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.

“I haven’t had contact from anybody. At the moment, I would very likely be declining it,” Arthur said.

Another on the shortlist for the position is Dean Jones but, unlike Arthur, he is leaving little doubt about his desire to secure the appointment.

“I've come to a time in my life where I have this opportunity to put something back into the game,” Jones said. “I've been sniffing around to see what jobs are available. I wouldn’t have applied if I wasn’t keen.”

Pakistan coaching role looms as one of the most challenging in the cricket world. Spot-fixing convictions and prison sentences handed out to former captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir, as well as agent Mazhar Majeed, leave a difficult task to restore the psyche and trashed reputation of the team.

Pakistan appointed interim coach, Mohsin Khan, for the Test series against Sri Lanka, which they won 1-0 with a draw in the third Test on Monday in Sharjah, but are on the hunt for a full-time coach.

Jones is eager to ramp up his involvement in international cricket in some capacity. He said there was much work to be done in Pakistan but is positive about what is in place.

“They've got a big pool of talent and they’ve just done very well against Sri Lanka. They’re going gangbusters. They’ve just got to go out there and build some goodwill. Their brand has been tarnished somewhat. They’ve got to get a winning culture - I don’t think it’s tough if you’re winning.”

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011