Waugh could coach South Africa

Steve Waugh could conceivably coach South Africa when they tour Australia in the next southern summer for three Tests and a one-day series. Such an unlikely scenario has become a possibility after Graeme Smith, South Africa's embattled captain, admitted that his side - which has plummeted down the world rankings - could benefit from Australian expertise.

With Ray Jennings, the current coach, looking increasingly unlikely to get a contract extension in May, it's believed that Waugh and two other Australians, Tom Moody and Geoff Marsh, are the frontrunners for the job. Marsh coached Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2004 after having plotted Australia's charge to World-Cup victory in 1999. Moody currently coaches Worcestershire.

Waugh ended a glittering career last January against India, making 80 in the final innings of a 169-Test journey, and has since expressed a desire to remain involved in cricket. When the cricketing community organised a fund-raiser for Asia's tsunami victims last month, Waugh did his part by coaching the World XI against their Asian counterparts.

The Sun Herald reported that Waugh would be open to the idea of guiding South Africa out of the wilderness. It quoted Robert Joske, Waugh's manager, as saying: "It is something we would consider. Our management philosophy is that we consider every offer that comes across the desk.

"We haven't heard from South African cricket authorities in relation to the job. But if an approach was made, or the opportunity arose, we would definitely sit down and talk it through. We have a strategic plan that we have put together for Steve's retirement and our approach is that every valid approach that comes our his way should be seriously considered."

South Africa lost a home series against England for the first time in 40 years last month, and recent tours to Sri Lanka and India also ended in painful defeats, a far cry from the days when they were pushing Australia for the number-one spot.