England have started the process to appoint their next head coach and Ashley Giles, their director of cricket, interviewed Gary Kirsten for the job, a report in Sky Sports suggests. Kirsten flew to England for the interview an is favourite to replace Trevor Bayliss.
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Apart from Kirsten, Graham Ford, Chris Silverwood, Graham Thorpe and Alec Stewart are four candidates who are in the fray for the job.
Starting from favourite Kirsten, he has a wealthy experience of coaching international teams. Starting with India in 2008, he coached Men in Blue to a World Cup title in 2011. He received huge praise from MS Dhoni during his stint with team India.
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Later, he coached South Africa and led them to number 1 position in the Test rankings. Since 2013, he has stayed away from coaching international teams to spend more time with his family. From 2013 to 2019, he coached IPL franchises Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals but is not associated with any IPL side now.
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Kirsten has two coaching assignments lined up. If he is appointed as England’s coach, he will only join the team after the completion of the second edition of Mzansi Super League but will miss The Hundred that will be played next year.
Kirsten is expected to be given enough rest during his time as coach. England are also expected to ae two assistant coaches to Kirsten, who will be in line to replace him when his stint comes to an end.
Silverwood, the present bowling coach of England, is expected to be promoted to the post of assistant coach. Same is the case with batting coach Thorpe, who is also expected to retain his position in the backroom staff.
Stewart, the former England captain, is a strong contender but given that ECB is keen to give the position to, Stewart will have a tough road to become the head coach.
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Ford, the fifth candidate on the list, has had stints with county teams but is unlikely to take over as head coach.
England are unlikely to get the services of their new head coach when they tour New Zealand later this month.