England’s next coach: ECB target IPL coaches, Pakistan’s Mike Hesson to find Brendon McCullum’s successor

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have commenced their hunt for a new Test coach and have zeroed in on nine possible candidates. After losing yet another Test series, Brendon McCullum was sacked as the red-ball coach of Three Lions, bringing his four-year stint to an end. The candidates on the list of potential coaches who could replace Baz include Justin Langer, Andy Flower, Richard Dawson, Jonathan Trott, Kumar Sangakkara, Stephen Fleming, Tom Moody, Mike Hesson and Adi Birell.

Who will succeed McCullum as England Test coach?

As per The Daily Mail, Andy Flower – who is currently the coach of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL – is the preferred choice to succeed Mccullum. However, Flower has reportedly told his close ones that he is unsure if he is willing to take up a high-profile job at the age of 58. Besides, RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik had also hinted earlier that Andy would probably give the offer a pass.

Langer, who coached Australia earlier and is currently serving as LSG‘s coach in the IPL, is also on the list. The report claims that England director Rob Key had approached the ex-Australian cricketer for the role in 2022. However, the latter was seemingly uninterested. having led Australia to Ashes victory at that time. Besides, his approach made the ECB uncomforable. However, that has changed now, and the board is more than willing to have a coach who has a hard approach.

Tom Moody, who is serving as the global director of cricket for LSG, is another Australian on the list. Meanwhile, RR coach Kumar Sangakkara is another potential candidate who could replace McCullum.

The New Zealand link

Two former Kiwi players feature on the list of coaches who could potentially replace McCullum. First is former CSK coach Stephen Fleming, who was reportedly approached for the role four years earlier but had turned it down citing his committments with CSK. However, with CSK sacking him earlier this week, the ECB are once again interested in offering Fleming the role of head coach.

Another Kiwi on the list is Pakistan’s current coach Mike Hesson. As per the report, Pakistan are unhappy with Hesson’s name featuring on the list.

Only two Englishmen on list

Only two former England players feature on the list. The first one is Jonathan Trott, who worked with Afghanistan as head coach previously. However, Trott’s candidature might be in a mix as he has recently been roped in by Cricket Ireland as a short-term consultant. The other Englishman on the list is Richard Dawson.

What about Dravid, Flintoff?

Former India coach Rahul Dravid is a name that is doing rounds but isn’t on the shortlist, despite reports claiming that The Wall is uninterested in taking up a full-time coaching role. The other name that isn’t on the shortlist is Andrew Flintoff. The ex-England all-rounder is currently coaching the England Lions. However, the top brass in the ECB believe that he isn’t fit for the job as Test coach.

The post England’s next coach: ECB target IPL coaches, Pakistan’s Mike Hesson to find Brendon McCullum’s successor appeared first on Inside Sport India.

from feed - Inside Sport India https://ift.tt/DGity5O
via IFTTT