New South Wales hunt for Waqar

New South Wales are looking to expand their international coaching contingent by attempting to lure Waqar Younis to the SCG. Waqar is currently working with the Pakistan squad in England and is contracted to the country until the World Cup, but David Gilbert, the Cricket New South Wales chief executive, said he was interested in signing him as the state's bowling coach.

"He was such an artist with his reverse-swing, and the outswing he would get with the new ball," Gilbert said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "We would be crazy not to be interested in someone with those kind of skills, particularly when he lives in Castle Hill [in Sydney]."

A bowling coach vacancy has appeared with the loss of Anthony Stuart, who took a one-day hat-trick against Pakistan in 1996-97, on a three-year deal with Wellington. The New South Wales ranks also include Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman who will become the side's full-time batting mentor. Thorpe was a part-time appointment last season and his friendship with Waqar from their Surrey days may help strengthen the state's support staff.