Former Australian captain Bobby Simpson appears to have severed all ties with Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

Reports yesterday indicated that Simpson was considering an offer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take up the post of India's technical consultant ahead of the 1999 World Cup in England.

However, since the BCBC shake-up earlier this year when El James was brought in to replace Ed Bailey, Simpson has apparently not figured in the new administration's plans.

Simpson acted as a consultant to the Bermuda team competing in this year's ICC Trophy tournament in Malaysia and last year coached the squad leading up to and during the Shell/Sandals competition in Guyana.

But James said no attempt had been made by his committee to contact Simpson since the ICC, noting it was the previous executive committee under Bailey who had hired the Australian.

BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur said Simpson was expected in India in February.

Simpson, however, said he had discussed the job but nothing had been decided.

"I certainly had some discussions with them when I was in India recently acting as International Cricket Council referee but I haven't been officially informed, nor do I know anything about the appointment,'' Simpson said yesterday.

Meanwhile, James confirmed that he had had unofficial discussions with former Cup Match star Clarence Parfitt, currently living in Scotland, over the possibility of a return to Bermuda to coach. But nothing further had developed since their telephone conversation.

"We have not contacted Mr. Simpson for any reason,'' said James. "As far as coaching is concerned, we have a committee looking into the total coaching aspect. We haven't looked at any individuals at this point simply because we are trying to get a coaching plan in place first.

"Once we reach that stage we will then go out and get the type of person who we think will fit into what we want to do. He will be a person who can go into the schools and work with the teachers and students, the clubs and the national players.'' James said the BCBC's current executives were unfamiliar with the credentials of Simpson other than the fact he was a "great player and he had obviously been a great coach with senior players.'' Simpson served as coach of the Australian team until he was replaced by Geoff Marsh two years ago.