Craig Smith among candidates for India's support staff

Former South African physio Craig Smith is one of the candidates being considered to be appointed in the Indian national team's support staff.

Smith, currently with Nottinghamshire, enjoyed a 11-year stint with South Africa [from 1991 to 2002], a period when he worked closely with Gary Kirsten, who is set to take over as coach from March 1.

He is yet to get an offer but he confirmed that he had been sounded out by Kirsten. "I have not received any offer and can't comment on the issue but Gary has informally chatted to me about it," Smith told Cricinfo. "Nothing is confirmed and I am very happy working with Nottinghamshire as of now. If and when the offer does come about, I will decide on what to do. The Indian board have not got in touch with me as of now."

Smith worked with South Africa till June 2002 before he and Graham Ford were sacked on the same day. Incidentally it was the day Hansie Cronje died in an ill-fated air-crash. Smith then went over to England and enjoyed a short stay at Lancashire before moving over to Nottinghamshire. The last five years at Nottinghamshire have been fruitful for Smith, the highpoint being the County Championship medal in 2005.

The BCCI is expected to take a decision shortly regarding appointments to fill in the positions left vacant by the resignation of physiotherapist John Gloster and trainer Gregory King.

At a meeting held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, possible names for the posts were discussed. Besides BCCI officials, the meeting was attended by Anil Kumble, India's Test captain, and Kirsten.

"We've discussed those various positions," Kirsten said following the meeting. "But I am not in a position to give you any names because nothing has been finalised yet.

"I came up with some recommendations and the BCCI also had some recommendations as well," he said. "So clearly a decision will be taken at the highest level about what's to be done and I am sure everyone will be happy with that."

Kirsten is also said to have pitched for a mental conditioning coach and suggested the name of Paddy Upton, a mental skills coach and Kirsten's business associate in the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy in Cape Town. "A mind coach or a mental coach is important for any sporting organisation in any situation in the world," Kirsten said. "It's a very critical component to professional sport these days and certainly that's one position that I have asked the BCCI if we could use that."

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, confirmed Upton's name cropped up in the deliberations, and indicated that Kirsten's request is likely to be accepted. "Paddy Upton was recommended and we will have to work on the logistics of his appointment," he said. "A few South Africans have been recommended for the physios job."