Kochi owners yet to take final call on Geoff Lawson as coach

Kerala Cricket Association secretary T.C. Mathew told IANS that the franchise owners will take a call on the matter.

"I have been interacting with them and even though the final clearance for the coach has not been made, Lawson is very high on their list. Things are being deliberated and beyong that I do not have any role in such matters. With regards to the name of the team, I have suggested five names. It is ultimatly the decision of the owners,” said Mathew.

Mathew said the responsibility of the KCA is to see that they get ready the only international cricket stadium where ODI matches are being held.

"The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Kochi belongs to the Greater Cochin Development Authority and it is our responsibility to get it ready for the IPL matches. In the next few days, the decision would be taken on how to go about the preparation of the ground. It has been decided to improve the lighting in the stadium. We are working out everything,” said Mathews.

The Kochi franchise was retained in the IPL earlier this month after after its owners, in a last-minute agreement, sorted out their differences on the shareholding pattern.