BBC Sport canvassed the views of former Aussie all-rounder Greg Matthews, who played in 33 Tests and 59 one-day internationals between 1983-93, about the likely candidates.

Currently coach of India, contract expires at the end of the 2007 World Cup.

"Greg's had an incredible dream run as a captain, he had Lillee, Marsh and Thomson and did pretty well, but apart from that as a leader he has an appalling record.

"In Queensland he captained for five years with nine Test players - never won a shield. Then he went to South Australia as coach and had three years out there, ran last, second last and second last.

"India? What's he done? He's lost a couple of series and won a couple of one-dayers. His record is incredibly poor! Domestically he's done nothing."

Currently coach of Sri Lanka, contract expires at the end of the 2007 World Cup.

"Tom is a super guy, respected across the board. As a coach you've got to be able to relate to people and Tom is fantastic at that.

"He did a fine job restructuring Worcestershire, helping them to success."

Currently coach of Bangladesh, contract expires at the end of the 2007 World Cup.

"I think great things about Dav. He took Sri Lanka from young turks to the World Cup and had a tremendous role in their success. For Bangladesh he's got them to one-off wins against world powers, with limited resources.

"He's highly regarded, well organised, he's open to get new people in with new thoughts. I'm a big fan and would not be surprised to see him get the job."

Currently coach of West Indies, contract expires in 2007.

"Next! Not in the top 20 coaches or in the top 100 people I've ever talked cricket to."

Currently head of Australia's centre of excellence.

"Super job as assistant coach all the boys spoke very highly of Tim. Fantastic enthusiasm, great passion, very good knowledge, open to a myriad of different structures, angles and ideas and respected by peers such as Tom Moody and Dav Whatmore.

"A great orator, he puts it to guys, he's not averse to giving the odd back-hander but it's just a wake-up call it's not a knock-out punch."

Former Australia Test wicket-keeper, now coach of Queensland.

"I called him the genius when I played with him, he could do things that no-one I saw play could do - 120 batting number eight at Barbados against Marshall, Holding, Garner, hit each of them for six out of the ground.

"Great bat, lousy keeper, solid coach at best. 100,000-1."

Yet to return to cricket in a full-time capacity after retiring as a player in 2004.

"1,000-1. Write your own ticket. Even in a few years, 1,000-1. Ring me back in five years!"

Former coach of Warwickshire, now back in schoolteaching in Australia.

"I don't mind old school, but he doesn't have enough front-line experience.

"I can see Invers slipping into an assistant role within the team but if he was fair dinkum about doing it he probably would have sorted out some time ago about how hot the water was and say 'I'd like the opportunity to be around' but usually the bloke who's running the show decides who is coming down and hanging out with the brothers."

Former Australia coach who stepped down in 1999 and subsequently coached Zimbabwe.

"Had his time and won't get back."

"It will get down to Chappell, Nielsen and Moody.

"Allan Border and Andrew Hilditch will have a big say in it. AB sits on the board, he's a big Greg Chappell fan and there's a big chance of him getting the job for that very simple reason.

"It's impossible not to respect Chappell as a player but as a leader he's done a desperately poor job. The perception is that he's a little bit special. He averaged 53 as a batsman - that doesn't make him special as a coach to me, I played with him and against him.

"Tom Moody would get my vote, my mix would be Tim, Dav Whatmore and Moody and I'd want to sit down and talk to them about what they think and what direction they're going in."

Interview by Jamie Lillywhite