Support staff appointment tops agenda of BCCI meet

The appointment of long-term support staff and the ratification of decisions taken by the various sub-committees will be the key points on the agenda of the board's working committee meeting on Tuesday in Chennai. Though the board has given a two-year contract to Paddy Upton, who will work as the physical trainer and strategist of the Indian team, there is no permanent physiotherapist as John Gloster decided not to renew his contract after the recent CB Series.

The board has asked Paul Close, the physio at NCA, to fill the vacancy temporarily. The board also needs to give a nod to the appointments that were done at the behest of Gary Kirsten, India's head coach, though that is likely to be a mere formality. It is possible that the board might also look at a permanent candidate as Close is part of the team headed by Dav Whatmore, the NCA director.

Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh were appointed bowling and fielding coaches respectively after the World Cup last year and had a got a positive response from the players. Their agreement with the BCCI runs till May, so there is time for the board to take a considered decision.

The working committee members will also discuss matters relating to the IPL, India's international commitments, the junior committee report, the women's committee report, the tour programme and fixtures committee report, the Vizzy Trophy and the special committee formed to resolve issues related to Bihar and Jharkhand.

The recommendations of the junior committee, headed by BCCI joint secretary MP Pandove, that had stated the need for a 'quality-oriented' junior competition is likely to be accepted by the BCCI. "I have interacted with all the state associations and it's been decided to recommend the scrapping of the Under-15 and U-17 tournaments and organise a national competition at the U-16 and U-19 level," Pandove said. The junior committee has also decided to rename the U-22 state teams as 'A' teams.

Meanwhile, the women's cricket committee had a meeting in Pune on Sunday and are awaiting the formal approval from the BCCI for the various tours this year leading up to the preparation for next year's World Cup in Australia. It begins with the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in April and May, followed by the ODI series in England and a proposed tour of Australia in November.