Ford turns down BCCIs offer to coach India

Former South Africa cricket coach Graham Ford today declined the Indian cricket boards offer to coach the national team, saying he would prefer to continue as the Director of Cricket of Englands Kent county club.

London, June 11 : Former South Africa cricket coach Graham Ford today declined the Indian cricket board's offer to coach the national team, saying he would prefer to continue as the Director of Cricket of England's Kent county club.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to continue my work here at Kent. This has been a really difficult decision. I am honoured that India have shown such interest in my capabilities, but (I) feel that this is the right decision for me and my family," Ford said in a statement issued by the county club.

"I am very grateful to the (Kent) club for allowing me to go to India to find out more about the job of coaching the Indian Team. I have had a chance to reflect on the offer made by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and their urgency to fill the vacant position," he added.

The decision comes as a big surprise for the BCCI, which decided on Saturday to select Ford as the new coach for the Team India.

After an interview and presentation at a marathon meeting of the Special Committee of the BCCI to select the new coach in Chennai, the board offered Ford a one-year contract.

Meanwhile, Kent's Chairman of Cricket Graham Johnson has welcomed Ford's decision, saying this is really "great news" for Kent cricket.

"We are delighted Graham has decided to stay with us. I would like to say how much we appreciate the way Graham has handled the last few days...He has made a significant contribution to our playing performance during his time with us, as well as the system to produce local cricket talent in Kent," Johnson said.

"I know that all in the business at Kent, the playing staff, the coaching staff and all our administrators will be thrilled by his decision. It also says much about the future vision we have for Kent, the way we conduct our business and how we all play a part in the delivery of that vision, not least through what we do on the field," he added.

ANI