Farbrace eyes England job as Aussie Gillespie wavers
CARETAKER boss Paul Farbrace last night threw his hat into the ring to be named England’s permanent head coach after admitting the job would be too tempting to refuse should it be offered on a permanent basis.
Farbrace’s admission came hours after leading contender Jason Gillespie insisted he would need “persuading” to leave defending county champions Yorkshire and Western Australia boss Justin Langer ruled himself out of the running.
New director of cricket Andrew Strauss appointed Farbrace to take temporary charge of the England team for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which starts at Lord’s tomorrow, following the sacking of Peter Moores.
Farbrace, who coached Sri Lanka between December 2013 and April 2014 before becoming Moores’s assistant, believes the clashes against the Black Caps could act as an audition for the lead role on a full-time basis.
“It would be very hard to say no to it, it really would,” said Farbrace.
“When I took over a week or so ago it was in very difficult circumstances and I was very disappointed for Peter [Moores] that he was moved on. But you’re in a situation where you’re working with your national team.
“I left the Sri Lanka job because I wanted to come back and work with the England cricket team and I was offered that opportunity.
“My way of looking at it is very simple. I have this opportunity and this chance to work with the England team for this series against New Zealand and I’m just going to give it a really good go, enjoy it and make the most of it.
“If, at the end of it, something happens, then great.”
Former Australia seamer Gillespie remains the favourite to replace Moores having last week been mentioned by Strauss as someone the England and Wales Cricket Board would like to speak to.
But despite the lure of international cricket, Gillespie has stressed that it is not a foregone conclusion that he will relinquish his position at Headingley to become England’s first Australian head coach.
“It’s very flattering, but I love my job here at Yorkshire,” said Gillespie, who claimed 259 wickets in 71 Tests for Australia.
“It would certainly take some persuading to leave. I wake up every morning and I’m in my dream job. It’s just fantastic, but I don’t know what the future holds. I haven’t had any contact and until that happens I can’t say anything.”
Gillespie’s former international team-mate Langer is no longer in contention to take the England reins after signing a new contract with state side Western Australia until the end of the 2017/18 season.
England duo Gary Ballance and Chris Jordan, meanwhile, both expressed sympathy for Moores, who was sacked earlier this month, with Strauss suggesting the former Lancashire and Sussex coach was at times exposed tactically in the international arena.
“I worked well with Mooresy, he got me into that No3 position and helped me there,” said Ballance.
Jordan added: “It’s never nice when someone loses their job, and obviously someone who you actually built a very good relationship with as well.”