Jennings ponders the future

Ray Jennings, who coached South Africa from October 2004 up to May this year is expected to discuss his future with the United Cricket Board of South Africa next week. Gerald Majola, the chief executive, had hinted earlier that Jennings would be welcomed back in an advisory capacity as the team continued preparation for the World Cup in 2007.

Jennings had been on a two-year contract with Easterns when he was asked to take over as national coach following a dreadful run of form under Eric Simons. After losing 1-0 in the Test series in India, Jennings and his new wards suffered a home reverse against England, before finally playing to their true potential in the one-day series that followed.

"I'll be meeting Gerald at the end of the month to co-ordinate with him where I am going," said Jennings, quoted in The Star. A strong showing in his final series in charge - West Indies were drubbed 2-0 in the Tests and 5-0 in the ODIs in the Caribbean - enhanced his reputation and led to several offers once he was replaced by Mickey Arthur as national coach.

The West Indies were rumoured to be interested in his skills for their academy, and also for the A team. He was also asked to apply for the Sri Lankan coach's job which eventually went to Tom Moody. But while there has also been interest from English county sides, Jennings has always expressed a desire to remain in his homeland.

With three South African franchises - WP-Boland, Northern Titans and Eastern Cape Warriors - looking for a new coach, Jennings could well be back in the domestic crucible by next season. "I don't want to be seen to be throwing my CV around all over the place," he said. "People know who I am and what I can do. If people want to make use of my skills they know what they are going to get."