Cricket Australia (CA) batting consultant Stuart Law who was Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) first choice for the vacant head coach position has said he would “love to work” with the Indian cricket team.
“I am open to offers from teams regarding positions to be filled; it’ll just have to wait until my contract finishes with CA,” he said. “I was in India for the ‘A’ team tour with Australia and was asked the question then about the vacant head coach position in India, the answer is still the same. I would love to work within the Indian cricket team but only after my contract expires with CA.”
He added: “To be able to see from close quarters how these guys prepare and think about the game would be of great interest. India play an exciting brand of cricket and that is how we like to play our cricket here in Australia.”
Earlier on Thursday, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan confirmed to a foreign media agency that the former Bangladesh and Sri Lankan team coach has said that he won’t be able to join team Pakistan immediately. “Yes, there are hurdles in the way of signing on Stuart Law as head coach,” PCB chairman said while speaking to the media.
“He had applied for a coaching position with us but he has now conveyed he is more interested in a consultant’s position [with CA] and that he wouldn’t be able to join the team immediately.”
Meanwhile, Law said he was flattered by PCB’s offer but his commitments do not allow him to take the head coach position immediately.
“I am flattered by the PCB for thinking of me so highly to fill the vacant head coach position,” said Law. “As a consultant coach at the moment, I have just signed a contract with CA to tour Sri Lanka as a batting coach with the men’s national team and this will end on the 25th August unless I am asked to do further work within the Australian set up. This will impact my availability to take up another role before this”.
The 47-year-old added that he is not ready to commit as a national coach for any team due to his role with the Kangaroos.
“I feel the national coach of any team is a huge responsibility and must take full commitment from the person selected to start the process with a clear mind and direction,” he said. “At the moment I am unable to commit as such. For anyone, it would be a great opportunity to work with some of the most talented cricketers on the planet and a chance to really mould the squad into a team that is feared worldwide. For me, maybe one day,” he added.
When asked if he is uncertain about working with the Pakistan side, Law said: “It is not just in Pakistan that this happens. Sometimes the coach is only as good as the players on the field but it is up to the coach and the players to be able to work through times that are tough. It is easy to feel good when things are going well, the challenge is getting through the tough times by working hard together to achieve to result of moving forward. Sometimes the board doesn’t understand this or are looking for immediate success. Experience has shown that good things take time when you are going through a rebuilding phase.”
The Australian also rejected the rumour that he had sought any advice on security issue if he was willing to work in Pakistan.
“I haven’t sought advice from anyone. Having lived on the subcontinent before, I completely understand the challenges it presents,” he concluded.
