Chappell to stay on as Redbacks coach

Greg Chappell has signed a new one-year deal to coach the South Australian team, but will not be drawn on his cricketing future beyond next season.

Chappell said today he was happy to sign a new contract for 2002-03, extending his tenure as SA coach to five seasons, but he did not want to commit to a longer deal.

"I didn't feel I was in a position to sign for an extended position so we've agreed on the one year," he said.

He said there had been little doubt he would stay on but admitted to taking some weeks to put the past season in perspective.

The Redbacks went close to making both the Pura Cup and the domestic one-day finals, missing out on both.

"I think we made quite a lot of ground last year and I'd like to think we can take it a bit further next season," he said.

"And for that reason I'd like to be involved in it.

"I still feel we've got some work that we can do and I was encouraged by the period of cricket through January and February where we took all before us in both competitions.

"If we can discipline ourselves to stick to that sort of game plan through the whole season, then we're a real chance."

Chappell said the SA players had indicated they would like him to continue and he now hoped both the youngsters in the group and the more experienced players could step up to the challenge.

"They all need to keep working harder and keep trying to improve," he said.

"We've got to get 10, 15, 20 per cent better if we're going to achieve what we want and that's to play in both finals and win both finals.

"It's not going to come from just one or two players, it's got to come from the group as a whole."

He said it would also be a challenge to replace captain Darren Lehmann in the side with the SA skipper now appearing to have established a more secure spot in the national team.

"But that presents an opportunity for others to step up," he said.