Tale of the tape

Graham Ford, who won eight of 11 series in charge of South Africa at the turn of the millennium, must be the prohibitive favourite, but the intervention of certain influential figures in Indian cricket means that John Emburey's candidature can't be taken too lightly. Cricinfo looks at the background of the two coaching hopefuls in an attempt to figure out which man might be best suited to the job.

What they did as players: This means little, as the coaching records of Kapil Dev and Sir Vivian Richards would testify. Ford's playing credentials are negligible at best. A top-order batsman, he averaged 13.5 in seven first-class matches for Natal B.

Emburey was the dour half of Middlesex's 1980s spin duo - Phil Edmonds provided the flamboyance. Comparisons with Ashley Giles aren't too wide of the mark, and a return of 147 wickets from his 64 Tests illustrated why he was always a supporting act to the marquee names.

Verdict: Emburey shades this category, though Indians could tell you that Greg Chappell's stellar playing career didn't count for much when it mattered.

What they did as coaches in domestic cricket: For a man who began his coaching career in the modest setting of the University of Natal's Pietermaritzburg campus, Ford has come a long way. He took Natal to the first-class championship in 1994-95, and in 1996-97 his team won both the first-class and one-day competitions. He returned to the franchise twice, and left twice, after being sacked by South Africa in 2002 in the wake of another thrashing by Australia. Ford has coached Kent since 2004 but has yet to earn silverware with them.

Emburey was unable to lift a poor Northamptonshire side out of the bottom four in his three seasons in charge, and his time at Lord's was scarcely more memorable. Middlesex made it back to the first division of the Championship in his second season there, but the seasons that followed were ones of treading water before the deluge swept them back to the bottom drawer in 2006. His replacement by Richard Pybus, another South African with impressive domestic credentials, couldn't have come soon enough.

Verdict: Ford powers ahead here.

What they've done internationally: South Africa won eight of the 11 Test series they played under Ford, losing to Australia home and away and drawing in Sri Lanka. Ford took over in the wake of the tied 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia. His darkest hour was also his brightest: in the tumultuous days after Hansie Cronje's corruption was exposed, South Africa won a one-day series against Australia.

Emburey's international experience is limited to a brief stint with England A and a spell assisting David Lloyd with the national side.

Verdict: Again, a no contest.

View from the press box: Ford's brow invariably shone with perspiration at press conferences during his tenure as South Africa's coach. It wasn't that he was nervous to front up to the likes of us; he was sweaty after a hard day's work. As hands-on as he is low-key, Ford revels in the anonymity of the back room. "To the players be the glory," would be an apt motto. He is technically and tactically astute, and utterly unencumbered by ego. And, lest we forget, he has had to make his own way in the coaching world - something former players don't always have to do. - Telford Vice, MWP, South Africa

Few people would have picked John Emburey - who has been moved upstairs at Middlesex this summer - as a leading candidate for the India coaching job. As a player, Emburey hardly seemed to relish his visits to the subcontinent. In the warm-up matches on Graham Gooch's tour in 1992-93, he was so badly savaged by Navjot Singh Sidhu that he talked himself out of the Test team. He wasn't the biggest fan of the cuisine either. He once said of England's finest all-rounder, Ian Botham: "The Indians used to call him Iron Bottom. But he wasn't - not after all that ******* curry." - Simon Briggs, The Daily Telegraph, UK

Verdict: The media's opinion is again of little relevance, but it's perhaps telling that you don't see anyone trumpeting Emburey's coaching ability.

What they say: "He coached me at Natal even before I played for South Africa. He was fantastic. He prefers to be in the backroom and gives more than 100 per cent and works really hard. If the Indian Board is looking for such a guy, then Ford is the right person. I wish him luck." - Shaun Pollock talks about one of his mentors.

"Striking a rapport, winning their trust is one of the key roles of my job. India has immense talent. My job would be to help create a system so that a conducive environment would be there for all to enjoy the work." - John Emburey talks about his strengths.

"Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes - he was the one who worked with them and allowed them to reach the levels they did. If you're playing for your country, you're good enough in terms of ability. What you need is a coach who can motivate and guide you, and as far as I'm concerned he's the perfect guy.

"He always encouraged me to play my natural game. Whenever he was available, I'd have a few net sessions with him. He's someone who knows how to bring the best out of his players." - Gulam Bodi, of the Nashua Titans, who played under Ford at KwaZulu Natal.

Overall verdict: When Rahul Dravid himself calls to ask if you wouldn't mind applying for the job - which is what happened to Ford - it's yours.

(With inputs from Telford Vice in Durban)