Bevan named Kings XI Punjab coach

Michael Bevan, the former Australia batsman, has been appointed coach of Kings XI Punjab for the fourth edition of the IPL. Bevan replaces fellow Australian Tom Moody in the job and takes charge of a team whose participation in the tournament was in question until very recently, following its termination by the IPL in October. Punjab was given a lifeline in December when the Bombay High Court stayed the expulsion in December, and its participation in IPL 4 was all but confirmed on Wednesday.

Bevan, 40, was the mainstay of Australia's middle order and part of the World Cup winning teams in 1999 and 2003. Following his retirement, he also had a brief stint in the unauthorised Indian Cricket League. "The immediate focus of course is on getting the right pool of talent in the upcoming auctions in Bangalore," Bevan was quoted as saying in a release issued by the franchise.

"I have been following IPL since the first season, and now thanks to my new role as coach of Kings XI Punjab, I am part of this enthralling cricket tournament. I love this game and I am quite excited to coach a team that is driven by the same passion... my boys and I promise to deliver some great cricketing moments this season of IPL."

Punjab finished at the bottom of the league last year, losing 10 out of their 14 games. The auctions will be held in Bangalore on January 8 and 9.