It would be a great challenge to coach India: Marsh

Geoff Marsh confirmed on Wednesday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) approached him two months ago with an offer to coach the Indian national side. "It caught me by shock at the time and I said I'd sit down and have a chat to the (Australian Cricket) Board and see what it requires. I got a phone call back last week to say they want to have a chat so in two weeks I'll go over and see what comes from it (but) there's a lot of things we've got to sort out before I agree to go over there and do the job", AFP quotes Marsh as telling ABC radio.

Marsh said that with some Indian players being allegedly involved in match-fixing, he will also discuss the matter with the Board, especially in regard to the access of bookmakers to the players' dressing room. "That's something I'll be talking to them about because that is a problem", he said.

Marsh, who as coach led the Australian team to last year's World Cup victory said "It would be a great challenge to coach a country such as India. It's a different country and they run their cricket a lot differently over there. Whilst their country is fanatical about the game of cricket, there's 700 million people (who) all listen and watch cricket over there, and there's a lot of talent over there, and there's a long way to go."

Marsh who quit his job as coach of the Australian side last year to spend time with his family said "I think my family know that cricket's been my life and when these opportunities come up you've got to grab them at my age." If he takes up the post, Marsh said he would return to Australia in any lengthy spells between series.

If appointed, Marsh who will be on duty when the Australians tour India in February-March said he would have to consider his loyalties when the two countries meet. "The Australian tour to India is in February and March but I guess it'd be a bit like Western Australia playing against the rest."

Marsh is one of four candidates being sounded out by the BCCI for the post. During the recently concluded BCCI AGM in Chennai, Board President AC Muthiah named three other contenders - New Zealand's John Wright, Australia's Dean Jones and West Indies' Andy Roberts.

Muthiah also said the Board still had an open mind on the issue and that it was decided during the meeting that the BCCI would appoint a committee to interview the candidates. He expressed the hope that the coach would be appointed in time for the Zimbabwe tour of India in November-December. Earlier last month former Indian allrounder Kapil Dev resigned as coach of the national side and was replaced by Anshuman Gaekwad as interim coach.