Mumbai, Monday 27 December 2010: Contrary to news reports, former Australian fast bowler and ex-Pakistan team Coach Geoff Lawson has already been named as the coach the new Kochi IPL franchise in the T20 League’s 2011 edition.

“We have already informed the Cricket Board (which owns IPL) that Lawson will be the coach. The details of his contract are being worked out,” a Kochi franchise source told News agency today.

The source was not willing to discuss anything further on franchise Kochi Cricket Pvt. Ltd or the upcoming IPL players’ auction at Bangalore on January 8 and 9. “We do not wish to talk to the media on these matters. Kindly leave it,” the source said.

Earlier report

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson is high on the list of the Indian Premier League’s Kochi franchise for the coach’s job but the owners are yet to take a final decision on this. Kerala Cricket Association secretary TC Mathew said that the franchise owners will take a call on the matter.

“I have been interacting with them and even though the final clearance for the coach has not been made, Lawson is very high on their list. Things are being deliberated and beyond that I do not have any role in such matters. With regards to the name of the team, I have suggested five names. It is ultimately the decision of the owners,” said Mathew.

Mathew said the responsibility of the KCA is to see that they get ready the only international cricket stadium where ODI matches are being held.

“The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Kochi belongs to the Greater Cochin Development Authority and it is our responsibility to get it ready for the IPL matches. In the next few days, the decision would be taken on how to go about the preparation of the ground. It has been decided to improve the lighting in the stadium. We are working out everything,” said Mathew.

The Kochi franchise was retained in the IPL earlier this month after its owners, in a last-minute agreement, sorted out their differences on the shareholding pattern.

(PTI)