The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The appointment of a new national cricket coach is unlikely before the Bangladesh team's tour of New Zealand in December next as two coaches of a three-man shortlist have virtually been unavailable.

Former Australian test cricketer-cum-Sri Lanka coach John Dyson, who was in touch with the BCB's interim committee, was named West Indies coach.

Former coach of Bangladesh national team from West Indies Gordon Greenidge, also extended his contract as the chief selector of West Indies Cricket Board for another two years, making him virtually unavailable for Bangladesh.

Former Australian test off-spinner Colin Miller is the another man of the three-man shortlist.

BCB cricket operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, who had earlier told reporters that there was a possibility to have a new coach by this week, today said, "We're unlikely to be able to appoint a new coach in time."

The national team has been without a full-time coach since Dav Whatmore stepped down following a successful World Cup campaign in April last. Whatmore had stayed on for the visit of India in May. Since then, former Under-19 coach Shaun Williams has been overseeing the squad's preparations.

The appointment of a new coach has been an arduous process as three candidates -- John Harmer, Dave Houghton and Jamie Siddons -- withdrew from the race last month.