Former India and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten has expressed an interest in coaching England's beleaguered Test team, saying coaching England would be a "tremendous honor".
England head coach Chris Silverwood has copped heavy criticism following their disastrous display in the ongoing Ashes 2021–22 in Australia, where the tourists have been outclassed completely, losing the first three Tests in humiliating fashion and losing the Ashes as well.
Ashes horror could possibly see Silverwood being relieved from his duties as England's head coach, and if it happens, Kirsten would be open to coaching England’s Test team.
Notably, Silverwood bagged the role ahead of Kirsten when England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) conducted interviews to appoint Trevor Bayliss’ successor in 2019 following the World Cup triumph at home.
Silverwood's job is said to be under threat after England lost the Ashes series to Australia with two more Tests remaining.
Kirsten, who had applied for the role of England head coach twice previously, in 2015 and 2019, is interested in coaching England's beleaguered Test side as long as the role does not involve coaching the white-ball teams as well.
Kirsten told I News: “I've walked this journey twice now (when England recruited new coaches in 2015 and 2019) and I've always made it clear that I would never commit to doing all formats. And when international cricket boards get their head around the fact that they need to split coaching roles, then it becomes a consideration.”
He signed off by saying, “Listen, the England ODI side is set up, you're the best ODI side in the world at the moment. It's a project that has been well-thought-out, you've got consistency in the players that have been picked. Your Test side has battled for a while but it would be a really lovely project to get that going.”
(PTI inputs)
(With Reuters Inputs)
