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South Africa’s Graham Ford was chosen as India’s new cricket coach on Saturday.

The 46-year-old former South Africa coach, currently cricket director of English county Kent, was selected ahead of former England spinner John Emburey, an Indian board official announced after they were interviewed by its coaching committee.

Ford’s appointment would have to be formally ratified by the board’s decision-making working committee, he said.

Factbox on South Africa’s Graham Ford whowas named as the new Indian cricket coach by the national board on Saturday:

Born: Nov 16, 1960, Pietermaritzberg, South Africa. Right-handed batsman and off-break bowler who played just seven first-class games in eight years for his native Natal B. A qualified rugby union referee.

Built his reputation for nurturing talent as Natal coach, guiding stalwarts such as Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener and helping the team win the domestic first-class and one-day double in 1996-7.

1999 — Coached South Africa A in 1998 before being appointed assistant to national coach Bob Woolmer.

Succeeded Woolmer after the 1999 World Cup semifinal exit.

2001 — The team won eight out of 11 Test series under him, but he was sacked following back-to-back series defeats against Australia during the match-fixing saga that led to a life ban from the game on skipper Hansie Cronje.

2003 — Turned down offer to coach Sri Lanka.

2004 — Joined English county Kent as director of cricket, a position he still holds.

2006 — Took over as chief coach of South African domestic side Nashua Dolphins but quit later in the year.

2007 — Appointed India coach to succeed former Australian skipper Greg Chappell, who quit in April after the team’s World Cup first round exit.