Strauss holds Gillespie talks as Pietersen haunts sorry England
England slump in first Test as hunt for a new coach goes on... and Pietersen's shadow lurks
As England struggled on the first day of the first Test of the summer, slumping to 30-4 against New Zealand, Andrew Strauss was preparing for talks with former Australian bowler Jason Gillespie about taking over as England coach.
The current Yorkshire coach is in "a strong position" to take over from caretaker Paul Farbrace, who was installed after the sacking of Peter Moores earlier in the month, says the Daily Telegraph.
However, with England in apparent disarray, they were four wickets down within an hour against the Kiwis at Lords, and in the aftermath of the Kevin Pietersen saga Gillespie is reportedly "having second thoughts" about the job.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His main concern is said to be the role of Strauss, who has made several "sweeping decisions" since taking over as director of cricket. Today's talks are designed to "allay any concerns [Gillespie] has over the scope of the role," says the Telegraph.
He would have to begin his reign with Alastair Cook as captain and Pietersen in exile. But the paper says he would be "given power in the future to make any changes he feels necessary as Strauss moves into the background to take a more strategic role, leaving the day to day management to the coach".
As usual the spectre of Pietersen hung over the preparations for the first Test at Lords. And when asked about Strauss's decision to jettison the batsman Cook said he supported his old opening partner and insisted that he had not tried to influence him.
"There was no ultimatum, I can deny that," said Cook. "I do not know where it came from."
Cook even denied discussing the issue with Strauss. And, as a post script to the sorry affair, Simon Hughes writes in The Times that there was no need to consult Cook. "Pietersen’s unsuitability for continuing as an England player is all laid out in black and white and Technicolor," he says. "[Pietersen] practises a sort of sporting anarchy. How can you trust someone who does that to be part of a team? And what message would his rehabilitation send to the rest of the team?"
Of course, Hughes was writing before the start of play and before Pietersen's phalanx of cheerleaders began revelling in England's sorry performance.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published