Gary Kirsten expresses his interest in becoming England Test coach

World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has expressed his interest to become England’s Test coach in the future. Kirsten, the former South Africa and India coach, had applied for the role twice previously, in 2015 and 2019. 

He has not been a coach of an international team since 2013, citing family commitment. Kirsten did become coach of various T20 teams including Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Hobart Hurricanes and Durban Heat. 

Coaching Welsh Fire

Kirsten is already on the England Cricket Board's (ECB) payroll as he is the head coach of Welsh Fire's in the men's Hundred.

Kirsten on December 30 (Thursday) said that he would be keen to take over as England's coach on the proviso that the roles were split between red- and white-ball formats.

“Listen, it [the England job] is always a consideration because it's a tremendous honour," Kirsten was quoted while talking to a newspaper.

"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.

"Working with a Test side, or working with an ODI side is great. 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. 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."

Silverwood under pressure

Current England coach Chris Silverwood, recently, came under a lot of fire after England’s poor show in the ongoing Ashes Test series. The English cricketers have already conceded an unassailable 3-0 lead to Australia in the five-match Test series.

Silverwood was given leave during limited-overs series due to England's packed schedule, with assistant coaches Paul Collingwood and Graham Thorpe filling in for him.