The Maharashtra Cricket Association is keenly awaiting the arrival of recently-appointed coach Australian Darren James Holder to begin preparations for the forthcoming season.

"Holder has not yet arrived. Once he takes over formally as the team coach and director of cricket can we begin the next phase towards preparing for the coming season� that is selection of the players," MCA president Ajay Shirke said.

Asked whether any decision has been taken on players like Ajay Jadeja and Sairaj Bahutule, he said it could only happen after the selection committee meeting.

"Only after Holder's arrival the selection committee would meet to decide on the team composition," he added.

The MCA has given the selection committee the liberty to select two to three high calibre players from other states to represent Maharashtra this season.

A Bachelor of Health Science from Griffith University, the 30-year-old Holder, who had worked as assistant coach and performance analyst to Australia coach John Buchanan, will take over as MCA coach and director of cricket from July. He was appointed on June 21 for the full cricket season that lasts for about eight months.

After Pakistan's Intikhab Alam, who coached Punjab's Ranji Trophy team last season, Holder is the second foreigner to be appointed to a state cricket team.

Meanwhile, Balasaheb Thorve, MCA treasurer, said visa formalities for Holder have been initiated and the Australian is likely to arrive in a week.