Matt Walker Turns Down England Offer for Kent
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Ending all speculations surrounding his future, Kent head coach Matt Walker has declined to coach England’s Twenty20 International team in the tri-series against Australia and New Zealand in February next year due to his commitment with the county outfit.
Walker confirmed the news on Kent Online, just a day after he was named as a replacement for England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace.
England had initially wanted Walker to replace Paul Farbrace, for the tri-series which would have allowed the latter a break during a hectic season. But with Walker now refusing the offer, England will continue to search for a suitable stand-in.
Confirming the offer, Walker, while admitting that it (offer) was flattening, said his priority is Kent. The club is planning to tour overseas during February to prepare for the next season, and consequently, Walker informed England head coach Trevor Bayliss about his unavailability.
“I have been asked. But I’m unable to do it because of my commitments with Kent. It coincides with hopefully going abroad,” Walker told Kent Online on Saturday (August 19).
“You can’t have your head coach not being around for the whole of that pre-season trip. It makes no sense to me, so yes, great to be asked, really honoured and hopefully, another opportunity will arise in the future.
“It’s very flattering absolutely. I’m chuffed to bits. It’s a shame I can’t do it, I would’ve loved to have been involved with England over that period, but my priority is with Kent,” he added.