Gary Kirsten Has Been The Contender To Take Over As England's Test Coach - Reports

After new ECB director, Rob Key expressed interest in splitting coaching responsibilities for various formats, former South African batter Gary Kirsten has emerged as the leading contender for the next head coach (Test) for England.

Justin Langer is no longer a contender since England wants to split the coaching responsibilities and there are concerns about how well he would work with Ben Stokes.

After Chris Silverwood was fired following England’s poor performance in the Ashes, Paul Collingwood was named acting head coach for the West Indies tour.

According to Nick Hoult of the Telegraph, “Langer may not be a viable candidate for the position of England’s head coach led to worries over Ben Stokes and Langer operating together.”

Despite the fact that Stokes has yet to be named England’s Test captain, he is still the leading prospect.

“Langer is no longer a candidate,” The Telegraph’s Hoult writes, “partially since England decide to separate the coaching roles and worries about whether he would operate well enough with Ben Stokes, who is expected to be made Test captain.”

Simon Katich, a former Australian teammate, is still in the race, with the new director of cricket Rob Key announcing that the post will be shared between red and white-ball cricket.

Gary Kirsten led India to World Cup glory in 2011:

Gary Kirsten, who coached India to World Cup triumph in 2011 and has also coached South Africa, has always argued that the head coaching post should not be overly broad.

“Listen,” Kirsten remarked in December, “that [the England position] is always a consideration because it’s a huge honor.” “I’ve been on this path twice already, and I’ve always stated that I will never commit to doing all formats.” And it becomes a consideration whenever international cricket boards realise they need to separate coaching jobs.”

Gary Kirsten is considered to be the front-runner to lead England into the Ashes next year after Key indicated the duties will be shared.

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