Former Australian and South African batsman Kepler Wessels has turned down overtures from the Pakistan Cricket Board to fill the coaching position vacated by Richard Pybus.
Pybus had his second spell in charge of the Pakistan team when they toured England in May and June this year. However on the teams return to Asia he declined an option to have his contract renewed. Pakistan have now employed nine coaches in just four years.
Since the departure of Pybus a number of prominent former players and coaches have been approached to fill the post. Former South African off-spinner Pat Symcox and Surrey coach Keith Medlycott are others who have also declined the position.
Speaking to AFP Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said, “The Pakistan team may play without a coach until we find the best man.”
Should they elect to continue without a coach the players will be forced to run proceedings themselves as was the case in Sharjah at the start of the year when Javed Miandad was sacked shortly before the start of the tournament.
Zia went on to say, “Kepler Wessels has informed us he is not available for a long term contract but we have a few other options. We are primarily interested in a foreign coach until the 2003 World Cup and we will not settle for a home coach.”
Kepler Wessels is meanwhile expected to continue his attempts to qualify for the South African Olympic Team. He is an accomplished archer and in a recent interview with a The Sunday Times expressed his desire to qualify for the South African team for Athens 2004.