Harmer withdraws candidature

John Harmer's decision means that the Bangladesh board will have to renew its search for a national coach © Getty Images

John Harmer has turned down a potential opportunity to become Bangladesh coach. Harmer, 65, was the only candidate from a three-member short-list identified for the role, to have made a presentation to the Bangladesh board.

"He [Harmer] informed us through an email that Bangladesh needs a young and energetic coach for the demanding job. This is something that he felt during his stay," Gazi Ashraf Hossain, chairman of the Bangladesh board's cricket operations committee, told the Daily Star, a Dhaka-based newspaper. "But Harmer showed his interest in a different capacity. We will consider his offer."

Harmer's decision means that all three short-listed candidates have either refused or been ruled out for the job. Dave Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, had withdrawn his candidature last month citing family problems; while Jamie Siddons was out of contention after his terms and conditions could not be matched with those of the board.

The board has been looking for a national coach since Dav Whatmore had refused a two-year contract extension after spending four years with the team. Whatmore's last assignment was the home series against India in May. Shaun Williams has been interim coach of the team since the the away series against Sri Lanka in June and July.

The board with now start a fresh process to find a coach.