When BCCI was stumped...

According to sources beyond the Indian cricket board, GrahamFord, who was offered the job of Indian coach, wasn't happy with the shambolicway the entire exercise was carried out. He anyway didn't want to rush into sucha challenging job at such a short notice; also, he is believed to be unhappywith the measly one-year term as well and not too pleased with the remunerationeither.However, board sources denied this. They claimed that Fordwas more than happy with the package and had no problems with the variousrestrictions - including a media gag and a refusal to bring his own supportstaff - imposed on him.They are in fact all but stunned into stonysilence with this development."Yes, it is embarrassing," a seniorBCCI official confessed to the ."When he agreed to come to India for the interview, we assumed that he hadsettled all his issues. This is most unexpected," he added. "In fact, weannounced his name only after he assured us that he was game for thejob."Interestingly, TOI has learnt that Ford had a lengthy meetingwith Kent's management on Monday morning. He declined the offer shortly afterthat. It is believed that the English county would now give him higherremuneration and even extend his contract by another year."Aftercareful consideration, I have decided to continue my work here at Kent," he saidin a press note released by the county. "This has been a really difficultdecision. I am honoured that India have shown such interest in my capabilities,but feel that this is the right decision for me and myfamily."Incidentally, Ford had said virtually the same thingto when his name first came intothe picture. "I am committed to Kent till next year. I also have a family inSouth Africa to think of (his wife is a cancer patient). If I get an opportunityI will be interested to know more because you never say never," he hadsaid.BCCI, after turning the entire process of looking for a newcoach into a crude joke, has now clearly become the laughing stock of thecricketing world. Why did it wait for such a long time to start the process eventhough the Indian team had crashed out of the World Cup in March, and coach GregChappell had beaten a hasty retreat a fortnight later?Ironically,the other two contenders for the job, John Emburey and Dav Whatmore, refused toreact to the development."The board is apparently trying to get intouch with John," a source close to him said. "He is waiting and doesn't want tosay anything until then." "This does not concern me. I won't sayanything," Whatmore said. Ford's phone remained switched off. India's World Cup campaign comes to anend Team returnshome Coach Greig Chappellaccepts partial blame for the World Cupdebacle Chappell blamesseniors saying they had absolutely no respect for the management and that theywere too haughty to handle. Expresses desire to pack hisbags Sachin Tendulkarreacts angrily to Chappell questioning the attitude of senior players during theWorld Cup, says he is hurt; Chappell e-mails BCCI informing his decision toquit. Bangladesh coachDav Whatmore expresses interest in coaching Indianteam BCCI calls for ahigh-powered review meeting. Dravid is retained as India captain, Ravi Shastri is offered manager'sjob for the tour of Bangladesh Shastri says he's surprised. Accepts the offer but only for the tourof Bangladesh BCCIappoints a seven-member committee to choose the nextcoach Whatmore meetsShastri in Bangladesh, says he had "positivediscussions" Whatmore meetsBCCI secretary Niranjan Shah and BCCI CAO Ratnakar Shetty. The two say they areimpressed: Graham Fordexpresses interest but denies having been approached by theBCCI Whatmore's candidatureis rejected. BCCI confirms receiving an application fromFord BCCI announces JohnEmburey as the second man in the race The committee interviews Ford and Emburey; the committee opts for Fordwho wants to consult his employers,Kent Ford rejects theofferBCCI to decide the future course of action at its Working Committeemeeting in Delhi on June 12