Kolkata, July 11 (IANS) Roger Binny, who played a significant role in India’s historic 1983 World Cup triumph, will be the chief coach of the Bengal cricket team for the 2009-10 season.
Binny’s name was finalised at a meeting of the Cricket Association of Bengal working committee Saturday, CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters.

A talented batsman, who could take the crease both as an opener as also in the middle order, the tall and athletic Karnataka player was also an effective medium pacer capable of swinging the ball both ways.

“It will be a one-year contract, which may be extended by another year,” Dalmiya said.

Commenting on the factors behind the choice, he said the CAB wanted somebody who was both experienced and could devote full time for Bengal cricket.

Binny, who turns 55 on July 19, earlier coached the Indian under-19 team that won the World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000.

“He has the experience of coaching both juniors as also the coaches as Asian Cricket Council Development Officer,” Dalmiya said.

Mohinder Amarnath, who worked as Bengal team consultant last year, would be requested to don the mantle yet again, he said.

Binny, who scored a modest 830 runs at an average of 23.05 besides taking 47 wickets in 27 Tests, will arrive here next month.

In 72 ODIs, he got 629 runs and also picked up 77 wickets.