Lal: Fresh role

Jamshedpur, June 27: The recent row over the appointment of Arun Lal as consultant (coaching) to the state cricket teams and the internal squabbling within the state cricket body has been settled.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) finally decided to appoint Lal after the former Test batsman sent his presentation to the state cricket body.

Sources said senior officials of the cricket association studied Lal?s presentation after receiving it two days ago. ?The presentation was satisfactory and, after consulting with other senior officials, we have decided to appoint Arun Lal as a consultant (coaching),? they added.

The JSCA vice-president and media spokesperson, U.K. Srivastava, confirmed Lal?s appointment by the association. ?We received his presentation two days ago and later decided to clear his assignment,? he added.

Srivastava said Lal would be responsible to channelise the coaching-cum-conditioning camps of Under-17, 19, 22 and Ranji.

?Arun Lal is expected here on July 7. Lal will formally take charge of the Under-17 and Under-19 camp next month,? he said, adding that the former Bengal batsman would bring physical trainers, along with him, to conduct the camps.

Asked whether Lal would be staying here for the camps, Srivastava said he would frequently visit the city.

?The physical trainers as well as coaches would be conducting the camps in his absence. Lal will be staying in the city every two-three days to share his expertise,? he said.

The senior JSCA functionary admitted that Lal?s appointment as a consultant was not approved by the state cricket body, as he had not sent his presentation earlier. ?We went through his presentation this time and found it satisfactory,? Srivastava said.

Asked whether Lal would be available during the cricket season ahead, officials said it would not be possible as he would be busy with other assignments.

?He will be busy during the cricket season. Lal?s appointment is specific to the coaching-cum-conditioning camps,? they added.

Lal?s appointment as a consultant had come under a cloud due to internal squabbling within the state cricket body.

Sources said the mode of his appointment as a consultant was not proper as some senior officials had not been taken into confidence.

Only a faction of the JSCA functionaries are believed to have taken the decision to rope in Lal. The officials had also invited Lal to offer tips to state Under-15 cricket aspirants.