Ability, not foreign or domestic criteria to pick coach: Lillee

Chennai, June 28 (UNI) Former Aussie speedster Dennis Lillee has said that Team India coach should not be chosen on the criteria of being an Indian or foreigner but what should matter is the ability expected from the candidate.

''The best available must be picked as the coach,'' Lillee, who is conducting another round of coaching programme at the MRF Pace Foundation here as its consultant coach told reporters last night.

''It does not matter even if he is from Mars,'' Lillee observed, adding the appointment of a specialist will depend on the team's situation.

Lillee is giving training to young cricketers from seven Asian countries which have taken to cricket and Indian pacers Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel are also having a stint under him.

Lillee said he was opposed to the introduction of the proposed free hit rule for each no-ball in ODIs.

''The ICC was overdoing the rule changes in the ODIs,'' he charged, adding the ODIs have much in favour of batsmen.

''Perhaps they may even ban the yorker and the outswinger,'' Lillee added sarcastically.

''I think they can as well have a bowling machine,'' he said.

UNI