Michael Bevan to be appointed chief coach of Orissa cricket

Bevan, who has been already appointed as the Kings XI Punjab coach for the upcoming IPL IV, will arrive in Cuttack tomorrow to ink a one-year contract with the Orissa seniors, OCA secretary Asirbad Behera told PTI.

Dubbed as one of the world's greatest one-day batsmen, Bevan will also be the advisor to the age-group coaches, Behera said."We have decided this only today and an official announcement will be made tomorrow," Behera said.

Asked about his availability, Behera said: "For starters, Bevan will be here for 10 days starting tomorrow as he will conduct a coaching seminar and physical training to our coaches. For the upcoming 2011-12 season, he is likely to resume in the month of October."

Behera further said Bevan's association with the IPL side would not clash with Orissa's Ranji campaign."The IPL tournament is only for a few months after then he will be free and committed to Orissa. There is not going to be any clash in timing."

Asked if it was a risky move hiring somebody with little coaching experience, Behera said: "He has already been hired by IPL. We have decided on his name after much thought."
"A high-profile coach does not guarantee you success. Dav Whatmore was hired for the junior Bengal cricketers but despite that they (under-19 Bengal team) faced relegation," Behera said taking a dig at their neighbouring state.

"We don't invest in cricketers from outside our state. We want to see our cricketers prosper and for the development of Orissa cricket, I feel Bevan is the right choice."
Refusing to divulge details about the signing amount, Behera said: "He is yet to sign on the dotted lines... Then you will come to know. We are spending crores on developing infrastructure then why not on a good coach for our cricketers?"

It may be noted that Bevan had visited the state in early December when the negotiations started.

The 40-year-old Bevan, inarguably one of the best finishers in limited-overs during the 1990s, represented Australia in 232 ODIs with a staggering average of close to 54 and 6912 runs with six centuries and 46 fifties.

He also played 18 Tests but he was always known for his ability to bail Australia out of difficult situations.