ECB in Search of Interim Fast Bowling Coach for Ashes 2017-18
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Following the departure of Ottis Gibson to South Africa national side, England is looking forward to avail the services of a temporary coach for the pace bowling department, in a bid to defend the Ashes title in Australia under the leadership of newly-appointed Joe Root.
As the England Cricket Board (ECB) is eyeing to engage a temporary fast bowling specialist, the former Three Lions coach Kevin Shine is bound to fill-in the place for the limited over series against Windies in England.
Shine has been England’s fast bowling coach back in 2006 which further saw the management avoid hiring the local coach there on in the bowling set-up.
It’s pertinent to mention, the former Windies fast bowler Gibson has become the chief coach of South Africa after Russell Domingo’s tenure came to an end.
New Zealand’s former fast bowler Shane Bond has been tipped as the top priority for England, in a bid to replace Ottis Gibson according to the Telegraph in the foreseeable future, as the management is looking to delay the full-time position.
The first Test of the Ashes is scheduled in November, as England management are keen to hire the coach before switching for the full-time coach after the deadline for the applications was set before 30th of September.
According to the latest announcement, the advertisement stated the specialist for full-time is supposed to work 36 weeks away from home in a calendar year, as England is finding it difficult, in the short period which has further witnessed the hefty amount being paid to the coaches.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss has utilized the conditions while availing the services of the veterans of the game including former Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene in the Asian conditions.
According to the report in Guardian, Bayliss is looking forward to avail the service of foreign specialist for the vacant post for Ashes in next quarter of 2017.
Moreover, Bayliss against Windies have used the same tactics before setting an eye for the traditional series against Steven Smith-led Australia.
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The reports further suggested the County mentors as a part of the program would also observe the players during the training, as Bayliss is eyeing to set a long-term opportunity for an upcoming specialist within the England side while the process would consist of a job interview as well.
There are possibilities of names like Andy Bichel, Geoff Lawson and Jason Gillespie, who is the head coach of Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Adelaide Strikers to be applying for the post, as many are engaged with the different teams in Australia in particular.
England is scheduled to play One-off Twenty against Windies on September 16, before wrestling in the five-match ODI series which will kick off on September 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.