Jennings in the picture, says Majola

Ray Jennings: will he get a second term as the South African coach? © Getty Images

Ray Jennings, the South African coach, can sleep in peace. Gerald Majola, the CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, has not ruled him out of contention as the permanent coach of the South African team. Jennings, who took charge of the team after Eric Simons stepped down in October 2004, was appointed on a short-term basis and will continue in the job till the end of the West Indies tour in May.

Majola said that Jennings had done a good job with the team and would be considered for the post, if he made an application. He also denied approaching Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, for the position. "The post has been advertised, and we will look at the applications. But as far as I know, nobody has approached Fletcher either directly or indirectly," said Majola, to the South African Press Agency. "If we are not satisfied with the applications we receive, we will head hunt the person we think would be the most suitable candidate. But first we have to see who applies."

He rejected suggestions that Jennings was in a difficult position since he was appointed as interim coach. "When he accepted the position, he knew exactly what he was going into. He's done a good job so far, particularly if you look at where we came from, he's taken this team a few steps up from where it began."

Jennings had earlier revealed that he would apply for the post if his players wanted him to. "It's not about bringing new information to the side -- it's about getting the players to understand that it's all about respect and working as a unit," he had said. "I'll talk to the players, and if they want to follow me, I'll apply for the job."

Under Jennings' guidance, South Africa lost 0-1 in India, and then suffered a home reverse against England (1-2) for the first time in 40 years, only their second series loss at home since they were readmitted to the international fold in 1992.