Wednesday, 6th June 2007 at 10:33 am

Graham Ford off to India?

Just a week ago, there were more than a dozen names on the shortlist for Indian coach; suddenly it’s down to two, and if the bookies are to believed, then Graham Ford could follow Allan Donald into a high-profile assigment on foreign shores. Slight difference in jobs, though, for while Donald will be tasked with coaxing Steve Harmison into avoiding first slip with his opening delivery, Ford could take on one of the toughest tasks in sport: coaching India.

The reception India received upon returning from a dismal World Cup (too hot even for Greg Chappell, who couldn’t leave soon enough) is a graphic illustration of what awaits Ford if he beats Dav Whatmore to the post (and decides to accept it). A nation rabidly obsessed with cricket demands constant success, something that India hasn’t delivered of late, and his current position - head coach at Kent - will be a very gentle point of departure for the former South African coach.

But the challenge of getting Indian cricket back on its feet would appeal to most coaches (as would a large, US dollar-based salary), and Ford will give the opportunity serious consideration. Meanwhile back in South Africa, we’ll be left to rue the fact that another top coaching talent is sharing his knowledge beyond our borders.

Not a uniquely South African phenomenon, perhaps, but throw in the 41 South Africans playing in the County Championship (read Neil Manthorp’s excellent piece on the subject), and the feeling that cricket is slowly heading in the direction of rugby, with the best talent outside of the national set-up heading overseas, can’t be shrugged.