/ Editor / 05 June 2007 /

John Emburey and Graham Ford have emerged as the two main contenders for the position of the new coach of India after Dav Whatmore was ruled out of contention.

Former England offspinner Emburey and ex-South African coach Ford have been given the green light by the respective English counties, Middlesex and Kent, to travel to India to meet the sport's governing body.

Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, was a warm favourite for the post but the shift in focus has seemingly edged him out of the running.

The news appears to have had little impact on Betfair's developing Test Series Winner market ahead of India's upcoming tour of England, with the Three Lions trading as the 1.87 favourites to triumph over the three Tests staring on July 19 at Lord's.

India are available at 3.8 to prevail, with the draw on offer at 3.85.
"The BCCI has invited Graham Ford and John Emburey to come to Chennai and make a presentation," said a spokesman for the India Cricket Board.

"After that a final decision on the next coach of India team will be made."

Ford guided South Africa to nine series wins out of 11 in between 1999 and 2001, with just two defeats against Australia.
The 46-year-old was appointed as Kent's director of cricket in January 2005 and last year signed a contract extension tying him to the club until the end of the 2008 season.

Emburey, currently Middlesex's director of coaching, was reportedly recommended by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar.

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