Michael Bevan addresses a media conference at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Jan. 17: Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) in its biggest ever high-profile appointment, has roped in former Australian one-day specialist, Michael Bevan, as chief coach of the state Ranji Trophy Team for 2011-12.

Formally announcing this at a media conference here today, OCA secretary Asirbad Behera said: “Bevan, who has been already appointed as the Kings XI Punjab coach for the upcoming IPL-IV, has, on principle, agreed to render his services for five months (October 2011 to February 2012).

“As per agreement, OCA will pay him $35,000 per month pro-rata for time worked for the Association, excluding the expenses on account of his hotel accommodation, living cost, flight charges, etc,” Behera said.

“Our priority was a foreign coach but it has by and large possible as Bhubaneswar based M/S Artha Tatwa Infra (India) Ltd (A.T. Group) extended their helping hand in sponsoring Rs 50 lakh for the Ranji Trophy Team for 2011-12,” the OCA secretary said.

AT Group chairman-cum-managing director, Pradip Kumar Sethi, was present during the occasion.

“Besides, we don’t invest in cricketers from outside the state.

“We want to see cricketers from Orissa prosper for the development of cricket in the state. And for this, OCA feels Bevan is the right choice,” Behera said.

He would also be the advisor to the age group of coaches, he added. The 40-year-old Bevan, inarguably one of the best strikers of the ball in limited over cricket during the’90s, represented Australia in 232 ODIs with a staggering average of close to 54 and 6912 runs with six centuries and 46 fifties.

He has also played in 18 tests. Bevan, who was present at the media conference, said: “My first effort would be to get the right people (both players and coaches) in place.

“The results will take care of itself”.

Meanwhile, Bevan, who has been here for the past week had already interacted with the selectors, coaches, trainers and physios including all BCCI qualified Level-1, 2 and 3 coaches and District Level coaches of OCA.

He will visit Agartala to watch the progress of the Ranji Trophy team during Vijay Hazare Trophy of East Zone League-2010 –11, which will be held be held between February 10 and 18.

Our Correspondent

Cuttack, January 18 - Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) in its biggest ever high profile appointment has roped in former Australian one-day specialist Michael Bevan as Chief Coach of Orissa Ranji Trophy Team for 2011-12.

Formally announcing this at a press conference here today OCA Secretary Asirbad Behera said “Bevan, who has been already appointed as the Kings XI Punjab coach for the upcoming IPL-IV has on principle agreed to render his services for five months (October 2011 to February 2012)”.

“As agreed upon OCA will pay him 35,000 USD per month pro-rata for time worked for the Association excluding the expenses on account of his hotel accommodation, living cost, flight charges, etc”, Behera said.

“Our priority was a foreign coach but it has by and large possible as Bhubaneswar based M/s Artha Tatwa Infra (India) Ltd (A.T.Group) extended their helping hand in sponsoring Rs 50 lakhs for the Ranji Trophy Team for 2011-12”, the OCA secretary said. AT Group Chairman cum Managing Director Pradip Kumar Sethi was present.

“Besides, we don’t invest in cricketers from outside the state. We want to see cricketers from Orissa to prosper vis-à-vis development of cricket in the state. And for this OCA felt Bevan is the right choice”, Behera said. He will also be the advisor to the age group of coaches, he added.

The 40-year-old Bevan, inarguably one of the best strikers of the ball in limited over cricket during the 1990s, represented Australia in 232 ODIs with a staggering average of close to 54 and 6912 runs with six centuries and 46 fifties. He also played 18 Tests.

Bevan, who was present at the press conference said: “My first effort would be to get the right people (both players and coaches) in place. The results will take care of it self”.

Meanwhile, Bevan, who has been here for the past week had already interacted with the selectors, coaches, trainers and physios including all BCCI qualified Level-1, 2 and 3 coaches and District Level coaches of OCA. He will visit Agartala to watch the progress of the Ranji Trophy team during Vijay Hazare Trophy of East Zone League: 2010 -11 to be played from February 10 to 18, 2011.