Dyson wants to coach India

Coaching contender: John DysonMUMBAI, June 26: Former Australian opener and Sri Lanka coach John Dyson has shown keen interest to coach the Indian team. It is learnt that Dyson approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through intermediaries on Monday and will shortly be mailing his CV to the officials concerned.
Dyson, 54, has worked in the subcontinent previously, having coached Sri Lanka from 2003-2005 before Tom Moody took over in June 2005.Currently, the Sydney-based Dyson is attached to Cricket New South Wales as a coach and also does some work in club cricket in the city.
The response of the BCCI is not known as yet because senior officials are involved in the annual ICC meeting in London. Once they return, the BCCI is likely to formulate a process so that the mistakes of the Graham Ford fiasco are not repeated.
One key factor could well be the timing of the meeting of the coach selection panel because former captains Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri will be on the road as commentators till September, from the England series next month to the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in September. But before the panel - headed by BCCI president Sharad Pawar - meets, it will at least have one name on hand. Some experts in Sri Lanka believe the foundation of a strong team was laid during Dyson's tenure and that is what ultimately helped Moody build on it. Unfortunately for Dyson, his appointment became part of the political mud-slinging within the Sri Lankan cricket board.
Even in 2005, when India was searching for John Wright's replacement, Dyson's name was mentioned in some quarters but his name never came up for consideration finally. Dyson has learnt all his coaching skills under the tutelage of former Australian coach and captain Bob Simpson.
That in itself may be a blessing in disguise because some senior BCCI officials are in awe of Simpson. In fact, during Raj Singh Dungarpur's tenure as BCCI president, Simpson was consultant to the Indian cricket team.
Who is John Dyson?
A gritty former Aussie opener who played at a time when West Indian pace attack called the shots in the 80s. The 53-year-old played for New South Wales in Sheffield Shield cricket and was renowned for his catching abilities. Dyson was also a good footballer. The Aussie is also a qualified school teacher and has a bachelor's degree in physical education.
Coached Sri Lanka from September 1, 2003 to April 1, 2005 but hasn't coached any first class or county team.
The Indian connection:
Made his Test debut against India at Perth in 1977-78, scoring 53 and 4, both times falling to left-arm spinner and captain Bishan Singh Bedi. Lanka under Dyson
Beat England and South Africa in Test series at home and climbed the ICC Test rankings
Beat Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe, drew with Pakistan but lost 0-3 to Australia at home and 0-1 away. They also lost to New Zealand in an away series
They also reached No. 2 in the ICC rankings in ODIs. Won the 2004 Asia Cup beating India in the finalStrengths: A low-profile coach and a tough taskmaster -- loves aggressive cricket and is obsessed with fitness and fielding
Weaknesses: Hasn't coached an international side or any first-class team since 2005.