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ROAR EXCLUSIVE: It sure has been a surreal two weeks. It began when Andrew Strauss mentioned publicly that I was a person that the ECB was interested in speaking to about the vacant England coaching post.
We were sitting in our viewing area at Headingley during a match when Strauss’ statement was broadcast on Sky Sports.
My overriding emotions at the time were simply that I was humbled and flattered that I could be thought of highly enough for a big international coaching post.
My other emotion was “oh no!” which was confirmed moments later when our Yorkshire lads started to give me stick.
They are a fantastic bunch of guys and there is a strong bond between the players and our coaching staff. However, this does not stop them ribbing us when they see fit – and in this instance it was my turn.
The funniest one was when one of the lads mentioned myself and Paul Farbrace potentially working together again. Paul was our second team coach at Yorkshire in 2012 and 2013.
They said that Harry and Marv – the ‘Wet Bandits’ – will work together again. For those who don’t get it, Harry and Marv were the two robbers who were outsmarted by Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McAllister in the original Home Alone movie and the lads are convinced we are the spitting image of them.
The jokes kept coming. Over the next few days, every time I was on my phone one of the lads would say, “Oh Dizz will be with you in a sec, he’s just on the phone to Straussy”.
Another one I heard was “Dizz, what size shoe are you? Adidas [English kit sponsor] need it”.
To be fair to the lads, they were very good to me throughout the process. I was conscious of all the media speculation and I was determined that it didn’t affect our games and our preparation.
When I spoke to our director of cricket Martyn Moxon and our chief executive Mark Arthur after being asked by the ECB to meet, I mentioned how I want to go and meet with Andrew Strauss and Tom Harrison.
The reason for this was simple. I felt I had nothing to lose. I was in a win-win situation.
I love my job at Yorkshire and I have a wonderful opportunity to coach the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. So put simply, I could go down and meet the ECB for a chat.
If it got to the point where a job offer was put forward, then I would have some decisions to make. If not, then I have still experienced sitting for an interview in relation to a big international coaching gig.
They understood and wished me well. They both made it clear they wanted me to stay but understood that it was OK to go and have a conversation with the ECB.
The interview was very simple. It was a relaxed conversation that went well. It was made very clear to me by Andrew and Tom that they were speaking to a number of candidates. I was very impressed by the both of them.
There is clearly a passion to help English cricket and it became very evident that the ECB is in very good hands with these two men involved.
From the moment the media knew that I met with Andrew and Tom until the moment Andrew rang me to say that they had offered the job to someone else, it was very hectic.
There was a lot of media speculation and attention. It again was very flattering and being told by everyone I had the job in the bag was very surreal.
The reason for me feeling this way was pretty simple. I knew that although I was a chance, it was far from a done deal.
I knew I had no international coaching experience and not a lot of experience of success in the short forms of the game.
I am only in my sixth season of coaching at first class level, which I discussed with Andrew and Tom.
So when I received the phone call from Andrew letting me know that they had their preferred candidate, I was not surprised.
I thanked Andrew for the opportunity to meet and wished him well.
I rang Martyn Moxon immediately after I spoke with Andrew. He passed on his commiserations, but followed it up with “however Dizz, from a purely selfish point of view, we are glad you are staying!”
I also cannot speak highly enough of Yorkshire and the Adelaide Strikers for all their support over the last couple of weeks. It has been very nice to know that I’m valued and wanted.
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Yorkshire, particularly Martyn Moxon, Mark Arthur and all the players and staff. Also a big thank you to Keith Bradshaw, Andrew Sincock and Tim Nielsen at the Strikers for their understanding throughout the last couple of weeks.
It has been much appreciated.
For what it’s worth, I believe the right decision was made to offer the job to Trevor Bayliss. His CV is very impressive and is spoken of incredibly highly by everyone that has worked with him.
On reflection, putting myself in Andrew and Tom’s shoes and looking at what is required for England to continue to improve and develop in all forms of the game, I would have come to the same decision.
I wish Trevor all the best in his role with England. I believe the England players will thrive under his management.
He is exactly the type of coach this team needs.