Julien Fountain likely to join Pakistan team ahead of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 series - Cricket News Update
England’s professional cricket coach and former Great Britain Olympic Baseball player, Julien Fountain, is likely to join http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s cricket team as fielding coach ahead of its departure for the Test series against the Poms, in UAE.
As heralded by the Pakistan Cricket Board in November this year, the 41-year-old Australian fielding coach, who is a front-runner for a parallel position in Pakistani cricket, is just a step away from signing the contract with PCB.
Well placed sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that negotiations between the board and Fountain are in their final stages and the Aussie fielding coach will soon visit Lahore to sign a contract with PCB. Fountain has reportedly demanded a monthly salary between USD 10,000 to 15,000.
"Financial issues were the main hurdle between Fountain and the board as he had demanded a monthly pay of between USD 10,000 to 15,000 but now that matter has been sorted out. He will come to Lahore soon to finalise things," PCB sources told the media reporters on Sunday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has been on a hunt for new coaching staff since former head coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 tour in September, citing family and health issues.
Since then, PCB Chief Selector, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohsin-Hasan-Khan-c77595, has been working as an interim coach for the team. He will be coaching the team for the upcoming UAE tour as well.
However, the newly appointed PCB Chairman, Zaka http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397, is keen on having a couple of coaches to handle the manifold departments within the PCB.
While most of the former Pakistani cricketers, including the legendary pacer and former captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292, have disagreed with the idea of multiple coaches, current captain Misbah-ul-Haq and interim coach Mohsin Khan have supported it.
"Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohsin-c77587 have both supported the idea of having a specialist fielding coach with the team before the England series and Fountain is the obvious choice," the source said.
Dave Whatmore is a front runner for the head coach position and is expected to come to Pakistan in January next year on PCB’s invitation. The board wanted Whatmore to be part of the coaching staff for the England series as well, but the Sri Lankan was not available due to his commitments with Kolkata Knight Riders.
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