The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likley to hire former Australia medium pacer Terry Alderman as the bowling coach of its senior team.

Negotiations with Alderman have begun and he may join the Indian team during the on-going tour of New Zealand itself, BCCI sources in Kolkata informed.

Alderman, who played 41 Tests and took 170 wickets for Australia during the 1980s, was considered by the BCCI after recommendations from India coach John Wright. He also played 66 One-dayers and scalped 88 wickets.

"The financial terms are being discussed now. If that part is settled then Terry Alderman could be India's bowling coach," the sources said.

Alderman, a good swinger of the ball, is expected to prepare the Indian bowlers for the bouncy tracks of South Africa, where the World Cup will be played.

However, many cricketing quarters are expressing doubts about the usefulness of hiring a bowling coach with the World Cup only about 60 days away.

Before Alderman, the BCCI had considered the services of South African pacer Fanny De Villiers, Carl Rackeman and even Sir Richard Hadlee, the third being the unanimous choice of captain Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.

However, Sir Richard was not approached as, being the chairman of the New Zealand selection committee, he was unlikely to accept the Indian offer.