Richard Pybus has rejected an offer to continue coaching the Pakistan national cricket team following his third stint in the job in May and June. Pybus led Pakistan on their tour of England, guiding the side to a drawn Test series against the English and the final of a one-day tournament against Australia.

Pybus, an Englishman who lives in South Africa, said he declined the chance to coach the side until the end of the 2003 World Cup because he didn't want to move to Pakistan.

"I won't be extending my work with Pakistan, so they will soon be in the marketplace for a new coach," Pybus said in an interview. "I wasn't prepared to relocate to Pakistan for 18 months up to the World Cup."

The England tour was his third spell as Pakistan coach. Pybus oached the team to the 1999 World Cup final and to a 3-0 Test series defeat to Australia on the 1999-2000 tour. He was fired after both.

Pybus said in an earlier interview he was reluctant to take up the role on a permanent basis after his previous experiences. He may continue working with the Pakistan team as a consultant, he said. General Tauqir Zia, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, has asked the 37-year-old to submit a report proposing changes to Pakistani cricket.

"I really enjoyed working with the boys, particularly Waqar Younis, who proved himself a great captain in England," Pybus said. "I would welcome a consultancy role as I want to see them challenging Australia and South Africa regularly."

Pakistan plays a home Test series against New Zealand in September, followed by the second Asian Test Championship also involving Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

© Bloomberg News Agency