Gary Kirsten has put himself forward for the role as England’s head coach and outlined his plan to revolutionise English cricket amid the nation’s Ashes nightmare.
Chris Silverwood is set to be replaced as leader of England’s red and white ball teams after the final two Tests in Australia, with the series already lost following three humiliating defeats.
It’s been a miserable winter for Silverwood and RootGetty
It completes England’s worst-ever year in Test cricket and the ECB will soon begin their search for a new coach, who will be tasked with rebuilding the red-ball side and restoring its battered reputation.
Former India and South Africa coach Kirsten applied for the job in 2019, but was overlooked in favour of Silverwood.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s cricket collective podcast, the 54-year-old insists the role would still be an ‘honour’.
In a detailed outline of his vision, Kirsten revealed plans to recruit Alastair Cook, but insists he would only be interested in the job as a Test specialist.
He said: “The England job is always a consideration because it is a tremendous honour.
GettyKirsten believes he’s got what England need[/caption]
“I’ve walked this journey twice now [when England recruited for the role in 2015 and 2019] and I’ve always made it clear that I would never commit to doing all formats.”
Kirsten added: “The first conversation I would have with the powers that be is: make sure you have five or six people in the room who are the best test match experts you could have in English cricket.
“So for me, the number one stand-out would be Alastair Cook. He would have to be in the room to discuss the game going forward at Test match level in England.
“Importantly, those best cricket minds need to agree on a top six batting line-up where everyone agrees that technically these are the best players in the country, and then you can move forward.”
Cook retired as England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2019Getty Images – Getty
He continued: “I’ve tabled on a number occasions now — and not just with England but all around the world – that you need to create specialist coaches in different formats.
“Some of the guys who are involved in franchise T20 cricket have done hundreds of games as coaches — they have a lot more experience than any international coaches. The time has come for specialist coaches. And obviously with Covid being such a challenge for players and coaches travelling the world, it highlights it even more.”
Kirsten also revealed his intention to make England more aggressive with the bat, insisting the current side are too focused on ‘surviving’.
Kirsten worked as a coach at Welsh Fire in the Hundred last summerGetty
“I’ve been fascinated with the batting in England,” he said. “Joe Root is a standout, an unbelievable Test match cricketer. But it blows me away that you could think batting at two runs an over up front would be a way to go in Test match cricket. It is not. You get found out very quickly because you can’t spend that much time at the crease with the game not going forward.
“A strategy of just surviving is not a strategy in Test match cricket. And sometimes it’s interesting to understand that the guys who have the technique to take the game forward are the ones we get excited about.”
He added: “I was fortunate to have a short stint at the Hundred and to understand English cricket a little more. There’s a lot to be encouraged and impressed by. I asked a number of county coaches and senior players who their top six would be in their battling line-up for the Test side, and I never got the same answer. For me, that’s a red flag. For every great Test team, you have a secure top six. You should know your top six.”
Kirsten continued: “Test match batting is about great technique. not about makeshift technique, but about being able to handle the best bowlers in the world. That’s what makes a great Test batsman. Wickets are important, but your top six sets up games.”
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