Kirsten ‘approached to coach England Test side’ with Key set to split the job

Gary Kirsten is being considered by England to coach their Test team, with new Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key set to split the head coach role between red and white ball cricket

Former India and South Africa head coach Gary Kirsten has reportedly been approached to coach England ‘s Test team.

New Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key is set to split the head coach role between red and white ball cricket, having previously advocated for a split while working as a pundit with Sky Sports. Speaking in February, he stated: “I would split the coaching. Not because it’s a lot of work but because it’s two very different teams at two different times.

“The [white-ball] team could do with a facilitator coach who can just keep delivering what they’re doing but challenge them. The Test team needs a completely different style of coach – a driver of culture and environment.”

And according to a report from the Telegraph , England have already approached Kirsten ‘to sound him out over the Test role’. The 54-year-old was previously considered for the job in 2015 and 2019, but lost out to Trevor Bayliss and then Chris Silverwood.

Following England’s humiliating defeat to rivals Australia in the Ashes, Kirsten publicly threw his hat in the ring to replace Silverwood. Speaking to iNews after England lost the third Test to go 3-0 down in the series, Kirsten outlined his interest in the job provided it was split.

“Listen, it [the England job] is always a consideration because it’s a tremendous honour,” he said. “I’ve walked this journey twice now 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. 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.

“It [England] is an interesting one. I think it’s a great project for someone to come in and take that Test side on. There’s a lot that needs to be put in place to build this Test team out.”