Cricket Comment: Kirsten is pick of candidates for Flower job
COACH Andy Flower’s decision to step down from the England job following a disastrous winter caused mild surprise but it was no shock. As I’ve detailed in this column more than once, I think it is the right move – the question now is who succeeds him.
In an ideal world it would be Gary Kirsten. The South African has a proven track record with both his native country and India. The latter role also underlined his ability to get the best out of the most high-profile cricketers in the world; his man-management and ability to handle the pressure are beyond doubt.
As a former batsman, he would need strong support from bowling coaches, but David Saker has done well in that role for England so that is not a major concern. The biggest obstacle could be that he has a young family and is therefore reluctant to spend long periods away from home.
Unless former captain Michael Vaughan volunteers for the job then the Englishman with the strongest claim is Ashley Giles. Given that he has rarely been able to select a full-strength side, he has done a reasonable job in his year as England’s one-day and Twenty20 coach. He has the advantage of being the devil England chiefs know, enjoyed success in charge of Warwickshire, has learned from Flower and has plenty of playing experience to draw on.
CLASS ACT
Yorkshire’s Jason Gillespie wouldn’t have been a bad choice, given that he knows Joe Root, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow well, but has played down a move. Mick Newell may not be No1 choice but merits discussion for making Nottinghamshire one of the most consistent counties of the last eight years.
Ex-Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody, a man I captained at Warwickshire, has been mentioned and is a great man with strong experience. I think he’d do a good job, but I’m not sure he’d want to uproot his family from Australia.
One candidate I rate very highly is Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain. He is an outsider but is very much respected within the game, a class act and knows all about the Test circus from his playing days.
Kirsten would be my first choice, and as a left-handed opening batsman by trade would be perfectly suited to nursing skipper Alastair Cook back to form. That said, the man who I think might be best placed to sharpen Cook’s captaincy instincts is the very astute Fleming.
Andy Lloyd is a former England Test cricketer. He has also served as captain and chairman of Warwickshire.
THE CONTENDERS
GARY KIRSTEN: Has led both native South Africa and India to No1 in Test rankings but may be hard to lure
ASHLEY GILES: Former Test bowler yet to replicate Warwickshire success with England limited-overs sides
MICK NEWELL: Has led Notts to success but has zero Test experience
TOM MOODY: Linked to job in past but may be settled in Australia now
STEPHEN FLEMING: Kiwi is highly regarded and has enjoyed coaching success in IPL. Test arena may be next