The Board were relying on sponsors to attract input from one of the two former Test players, whose greatness, it was hoped, would rub off on the Sri Lankan side.

Duleep Mendis, chairman of the Sri Lanka selectors, confirmed that Border and Botham were the only two considered for the post and said: ``The sponsors have told us that they had negotiated, but had not been successful. They were trying to make an appointment in time for our New Zealand tour in February, but it will not work out.''

Mendis added that further approaches had not been ruled out. ``Our annual general meeting is due to be held at the end of February and a lot might depend on the new committee,'' he said.

Sri Lanka have three newcomers in their party of 16 for the tour of New Zealand and a limited-overs tournament in Sharjah. They are wicketkeeper Chamara Dunusinghe, medium-fast bowler Janaka Gamage and Jayantha Silva, a left-arm spinner.

The touring team leave on Feb 20 for New Zealand, where their itinerary includes two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Former England all-rounder Bob Woolmer has had his contract as South Africa's coach extended by a year, to the end of March 1997.

Thanks : Electronic Telegraph

Contributed by nayak (adiking@*.bradley.edu)