King emerges unlikely contender in Australia's search for coach

Sydney, Jan 31 (UNI) Tim Neilson might be the favourite to take over as the next coach of Australia, but CA does not want the post to go uncontested and have contacted West Indies coach Bennett King in a bid to widen the search for John Buchanan's successor.

According to a report in 'The Age', King, who is currently in India for a four-match ODI series against the hosts, has been contacted by Cricket Australia's Coaching sub-Committee after Tom Moody withdrew from the race.

When contacted, King, who still has seven months left in is contract with the West Indian team, said the matter was ''sensitive'' but admitted that he would be more than happy to take over Buchanan's successor.

''To coach the Australian team is the pinnacle of international coaching. But any international coaching position is a great challenge,'' he told the newspaper from India.

The surprising revelation means that Nielson, who is reportedly a players' favourite, still has competition for the post. However, the South Australian continues to lead the race and has reportedly impressed the subcommittee -- comprising Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Daryl Foster and Michael Brown -- during the interview.

Australia's next coach would be decided in a meeting of the sub-sommittee scheduled for February 5.

UNI