Former Proteas and India head coach Gary Kirsten has expressed a deep desire to return to international cricket.
Kirsten was in contention to succeed former England head coach Trevor Bayliss, but was ultimately overlooked.
He will coach the Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League later this year and Welsh Fire in The Hundred in 2020.
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‘I’d love to get back into international cricket. I’ve been out of international cricket for six years. I only came over to England because I was excited by the opportunity. I would have accepted the job,’ he told ESPNcricinfo.
‘I’m not bothered by the decision. Everyone makes the call they need to. It’s great to be part of The Hundred, actually. I was going to lose that if I got the England job. This will be exciting.
‘I wouldn’t have flown across the world if my heart wasn’t in the job. It would have been a great opportunity. I’ve always wanted to be involved in English cricket. But it is hectic, without a doubt. It means you are probably away from home for 250 days a year.’
Kirsten was in London for Sunday’s player draft for The Hundred – the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new limited-overs tournament.
The Fire recruited, among others, Australian batsman Steve Smith and former Proteas spinner Simon Harmer.
Photo: Gallo Images
