Gary Kirsten in line to be new England head coach

Gary Kirsten could become England’s new head coach according to newspaper reports in London.

The job has become available since the departure of former England coach Trevor Bayliss and authorities are anxious to find the right man ahead of upcoming tours to New Zealand and South Africa later this year.

South African Kirsten has already been appointed coach of Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League so if he got the England job, would probably only start work after this assignment on December 17 when England are touring South Africa.

Kirsten, who is 51, has had plenty of experience as a coach.

Besides coaching South Africa and then India to World Cup glory in 2011, he has been with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash League.

According to the reports, Kirsten’s contract could be as much as £1m (R18.7m) a year for three years and if things go according to plan he could still be around when England defend their World Cup trophy in India in 2023.

In 101 Tests, most of them as an opener, he scored 7 289 runs at an average of 45, including a career-best 275 to thwart England at Durban in 1999-2000 after they had enforced the follow-on.

One of his two other Test double-hundreds was also against England, 210 at Old Trafford in 1998.

In partnership ANA and Sports Leo