Coyle succeeds as Tasmania coach

Tim Coyle has beaten Trevor Barsby, the former Queensland opening batsman, for the position of Tasmania coach after the departure of Brian McFadyen. Coyle, a wicketkeeper who played seven first-class games and a domestic one-dayer, was unveiled today after an extensive selection process that included overseas applicants.

Brent Palfreyman, the Tasmanian Cricket Association (TCA) chairman, said Coyle's knowledge of the state system was a huge bonus. "We wanted to appoint the person most capable of capitalising on the work that has already produced the talented young players in the Tigers' squad," Palfreyman said. Tasmania won the ING Cup last summer and Palfreyman said developing the team into a consistently high-performing unit was a priority.

Coyle, 44, is a level three coach and was appointed the TCA's game development manager in 2000 after ten years as a regional coach in Launceston. Barsby, the Queensland Academy of Sport coach, reached the final stage of the interview process.

McFadyen is now the head coach of the Australia under-19 side and received a new assistant today with the appointment of Matthew Mott. Mott, a former Queensland and Victoria batsman who played 66 first-class games, has been on the coaching staff at New South Wales but will prepare the youth squad for the 2006 World Cup.