Jason Gillespie will meet with England’s director of cricket Andrew Strauss in the next few days to discuss the vacant England coaching position, reports ESPNCricinfo.
Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler, is happy with his job as coach of Yorkshire, but will meet Strauss in the coming week to discuss the role and is believed to be open-minded about his options.
The England job will come with a handsome pay-rise and assurances that he will be given time to turn things around.
With a tough year coming up – the next four Test series are against New Zealand and Australia (at home) and Pakistan and South Africa (away) – all serious candidates are likely to require such assurances after Peter Moores was sacked after just 13 months in charge.
LANGER SAYS NO TO ENGLAND JOB
Former Australia opening batsman Justin Langer on Tuesday ruled himself out of the running for the vacant England coaching job by signing a new contract with Western Australia.
‘I am flattered to be associated with potential international coaching opportunities, but the timing isn’t right for my family and I still feel there is much work to be done here in Western Australian and Australian cricket,’ he said in a statement.
‘Having spent nearly 20 years on the road with the Australian team as a player and then coach, I respect what an enormous commitment it is to be away from your family for almost 12 months of the year.
‘There is no doubt I have aspirations to coach internationally, but that will depend upon timing and opportunity in the future. I look forward to continuing my work at the WACA and I am excited by this challenge.’ – AFP
ICC CONSIDER RESTRICTING BATSMEN
No more batting powerplays and five fielders outside the circle in the last nine overs of ODI matches have been suggested by the ICC’s cricket committee as they strive for greater balance between bat and ball.
The committee has also suggested that free-hits be given for all no-balls in ODI and T20 cricket instead of just for front-foot calls.
The recommendations made during the meeting over the weekend are subject to the approval of the chief executive’s committee that will meet in Barbados during the ICC’s annual conference week from June 22 to 26.
The committee has also recommended that the requirement to have two fielders in catching positions in the first 10 overs be removed.
‘This means that for the first 10 overs there will be two fielders outside the circle, for the next 30 overs there will be four fielders out and for the last 10 overs there will be five outside the circle,’ the ICC said in its statement.
‘The committee was very encouraged by some of the attacking captaincy displayed during the World Cup [this year in Australia and New Zealand] and believes these changes will allow fielding captains greater freedom to both attack and defend when required.’
