JACK Potter, the man responsible for producing some of world cricket's top stars, has been appointed the first full-time coach of Oxfordshire's Minor Counties Championship side.

As the inaugural head coach of the famous Australian Cricket Academy, Potter can take credit for developing Shane Warne, Michael Slater, Justin Langer and Michael Bevan amongst others.

And Oxfordshire, who finished second in the Championship's Western Division last season, will be hoping that some of the 62-year-old's magic will rub off on them.

Potter, who lives at Horton-cum-Studley, coached Oxford University in 1999 and 2000, but he stepped down from his post with the Dark Blues at the end of last season.

"With the university becoming an ECB academy, the coach's job was a year-round one, and I didn't want that," explained Potter.

"But the Oxfordshire job is perfect for me, and I am really looking forward to it.

"I am going to be writing to all the players individually very soon, and when we get together next month I will be explaining the sort of standards I expect from them.

"We will be setting them goals and fitness targets, and finding out their availability for games, which can be a problem with none of them being paid to play.

"I am an easy-going sort of bloke as long as people do the right thing by themselves and the team."

Potter added: "When I was offered the job, I thought 'yes, the challenge is there'. Oxfordshire want to go places, and they have a long-term view. I am very enthusiastic about this." A batsman, Potter toured England with Australia in 1964 but did not play in any of the Tests.

He retired from the game at the age of 29 and moved into teaching, before becoming the first ever coach of the Victorian state side in the mid 1970s.

He ran the Australian Cricket Academy for three-and-a-half years from 1987.

"We are delighted to have someone of Jack's quality and experience," said Oxfordshire Board chairman Simon Porter. "I think the players are really going to respond to him.

"With respect to the people who have been involved in our coaching in the past, this is a much bigger job, and is a major step forward for us.

"Jack will be at the games and will be part of the selection committee. He will be the right-hand man to the captain, Rob Williams.

"Jack won't be helping the juniors in an official capacity. For the time being he will be dealing with the senior side, initially for one season."