BARRY RICHARDS could be back in the Hampshire fold later this summer as their coach.

The former South African batting star, pictured above, currently commentating on cricket's World Cup, has been approached by the county as they carefully monitor the recovery of Malcolm Marshall after cancer surgery.

In Marshall's early absence, Hampshire put Tim Tremlett in charge of first team coaching with Tony Middleton looking after the seconds, helped by Raj Maru and Jon Ayling.

But if Marshall's absence looks like becoming long-term, then Hampshire must be ready with contingency plans which is why they have sent out preliminary feelers to Richards, one of the most prolific and stylish run-makers of his day, who was denied a place on cricket's grandest stage by South Africa's exile from world cricket.

The absence of one-time West Indies bowling star Marshall from the coaching set-up at The County Ground has left a big hole, and Hampshire are treating the matter with the utmost delicacy.

Chief executive Tony Baker said: "We haven't spoken to Malcolm yet, but hopefully within the next few days I will have the opportunity to do so. We have a contractual relationship with Malcolm and we have a cricket committee meeting next week to see what we can do to keep the ball rolling with that."

Marshall's illness has clearly devastated everyone at the club, and they are determined to do right by him.

But if they turn to Richards, they wouldn't just be getting a batting coach. In his more recent role as a press pun-dit, his comments on bowling, particularly Saqlain Mushtaq's skills, have been keenly perceptive. They revealed a cricket brain as sharp as a tack.

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