He takes up his new post with immediate effect from John Buchanan, the Australian who had an unsuccessful one-season spell at Lord's.

Gatting said: ``It's a much larger role than I originally envisaged. I'm very excited about the opportunity to take Middlesex back to the top.''

Alan Moss, Middlesex's chairman, said: ``John did a very difficult job extremely well. We're happy that he has given the club a whole new approach and some innovative ideas, which Mike Gatting is going to take advantage of next year.''

Glenn Turner has attracted publicity in New Zealand for his book promotion by describing the national side as a ``shambles'' and ``lawless society''.

Turner, who finished as coach two years ago, cited two players in particular, saying that all-rounder Chris Cairns suffered from what Turner regarded as an explosive temper and that wicketkeeper Adam Parore had been rude to children and was ``a poor role model''.

Bangladesh's cricket authorities announced yesterday that all matches reduced to fewer than 25 overs per side, except for the final, would be decided by bowl-outs in the Wills International Cup in Dhaka, which starts on Oct 24 and involves England.