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Langer out of running for England, but a surprising Aussie in contention if Kirsten rejects job

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24th April, 2022
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England have approached South African Gary Kirsten to be new head coach of their Test team, with Justin Langer now out of the running for the job and Simon Katich an outside chance, according to a UK media report.

Nick Hoult, the cricket writer of the UK Telegraph, reported Monday that “Langer is no longer a candidate partly because England want to split the coaching roles and reservations over whether he would work well with Ben Stokes, who is set to be appointed Test captain.”

Kirsten, who took India to a World Cup win, was close to getting the England job in 2019 when it went instead to Chris Silverwood as a coach of red and white ball teams.

Kirsten is understood to prefer splitting the roles. He declined to comment on the report, the Telegraph said.

Stokes is expected to meet with new ECB boss Robert Key this week to discuss replacing Joe Root.

“One of his first moves will be to bring back Stuart Broad and James Anderson,” wrote Hoult.

Broad was close to retiring and taking a TV with Sky when he was dropped after the Ashes but Root’s demise and the loss to West Indies look like giving him a lifeline.

“Along with Anderson he will be back to help Stokes get off to a winning start in the series with New Zealand in June,” wrote Hoult.

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“Neither Broad nor Anderson will play all seven Tests this summer, those days are over, and it may well be unlikely they appear together again, but they will be given more than sentimental one-off farewell match. Both will be integral members of the squad again.

“Kirsten is currently working in the IPL as a batting coach with the Gujarat Lions. He has previously publicly declared his interest in coaching England but only if the role is divided between Test and white-ball cricket.”

The Telegraph said Katich, who worked with Key on the TV coverage of the Australians tour of Pakistan, and Graham Ford, who worked with Key at Kent, are also candidates but Kirsten has a proven track record of success with India and South Africa and is now the frontrunner.

Kirsten coached India from 2008-11, leading them to the World Cup on home soil before leaving to become South Africa head coach.

“With Stokes as captain, England believe the need for a strongman head coach like Langer is reduced,” wrote Hoult.

“Whereas Root did his best to avoid confrontation and needed more back-up from a forceful personality behind him, Stokes is completely different. He will readily pull players back into line himself but will need a coach who is good tactically and a facilitator behind the scenes.”

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Kirtsen, 54, said in December: “Listen, it [the England job] is always a consideration because it’s a tremendous honour. 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.”

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