Damien Martyn in mix for Hong Kong batting coach post

Former Australia batsman Damien Martyn is a frontrunner to take up the position of Hong Kong batting coach in the run-up to next year's ICC 2015 World Cup qualifying competition in New Zealand.

Martyn, who played 67 tests and 208 one-day internationals for Australia, has expressed his interest to the Hong Kong Cricket Association, which is looking for a replacement for New Zealander Lou Vincent.

"We want someone who can work with the guys on their mental approach and batting craftsmanship," said Hong Kong head coach Charlie Burke. "Technically, most of our batsmen are okay at this level but someone who has played at the highest level can offer them something more.

"Lou did this but unfortunately he is not available due to personal reasons. He has just retired from playing for Auckland and I believe he wants to spend some time back home."

The deadline for applications is next Friday and Burke said the HKCA would not discount local applications for the short-term contract - six to 12 months - as long as they had the required qualifications.

"We hope to have someone in place by next month. If he is from overseas, he can visit us two or three times over the next six months but then come on board on a more full-time basis closer to the World Cup qualifiers in January, 2014," he said.

Hong Kong, ranked 20th in the world, are in the ICC's World Cricket League Division Two. The top division - Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Namibia, Netherlands and Kenya - are playing in the Intercontinental Cup from which the top two will earn direct qualification to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The remaining six will join Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and the top two from this season's ICC World Cricket League Division Three competition next January to decide two more associate countries for the 14-team World Cup - 10 test-playing nations plus four associates.

"I hope when we return from Nepal we will have a specialist batting coach selected. He will be crucial to our campaign for World Cup qualification," Burke added.

Hong Kong leave next Tuesday for Colombo for a four-game build-up before the ACC Twenty20 Cup in Kathmandu from March 26-April 3. This tournament is a pre-qualifier for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup next year.