Calcutta: All coaches/cricket managers of the Indian team so far have been former Test players. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) looks around for a full-time successor for Greg Chappell, it’ll be happy if someone who is only a first-class cricketer puts in an application.

On Monday evening, the BCCI issued a release detailing the eligibility criteria and what it expects from the next coach.

Besides requesting the media to do its bit, the BCCI has approached all the national cricket boards to put up its advertisement on their respective websites.

The Board does not have a website of its own, hence the request.

According to the release, the candidate should have excellent communication skills so that he can interact with the players, team management, selectors and the Board.

The candidate must also have coached an international or national team or should have been a coach at an elite coaching centre of international repute.

There was bound to be some confusion over what was meant by an international or national side. The board has clarified that national means a state or provincial team.

The following is the full text of the release:

WHAT THE BOARD IS LOOKING FOR

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

a) Working closely with the selection committee and interacting periodically with the review committee to be set up by the Board

b) Should have the ability to plan and manage programmes for the elite cricketers

c) Should be capable of building positive relations with the public and media

d) Should be capable of motivating players and thus helping them to optimise their performances at all times

e) Should be familiar with the use of performance analysis software packages

f) Should be available to conduct clinics and workshops for the local coaches

g) Should have excellent communicating skills as he is required to communicate at different levels like players, team management, selectors and the Board

h) Should be capable of providing the team with tactical expertise

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

a) Should be a qualified coach with minimum level III coaching accreditation from Cricket Australia, England or India

b) Should have at least played firstclass cricket.

c) Extensive coaching experience and expertise in working with elite cricketers

d) Should possess basic IT skills to be able to operate the match analysis programme

e) Should have been a coach of an international or national team or a coach at an elite coaching centre of international repute

f) Should have basic knowledge of Indian cricket, Indian players and Indian culture and ethos

g) Should have basic knowledge of sports science and sports medicine

h) Should be capable of handling the team under highpressure situations

i) Should possess outstanding organisational skills

j) Should have knowledge of international coaching trends

k) Should have experience in using the video technology

GENERAL INFORMATION

a) The appointment as coach shall be for a period of two years starting from 1st October, 2007

b) The job requires a great deal of time away from home, travelling with the Indian team both in India and abroad

c) Terms and conditions are negotiable