Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting rejects the chance to become a coach with England

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting rejects the chance to become a coach with England as managing director Rob Key plots new faces to freshen up red and white-ball set-ups

  • England’s new director of cricket, Rob Key, is continuing to target new faces
  • Ricky Ponting had been a target but the ex-Australia captain is not interested
  • Key had hoped he might combine IPL role with being England white-ball coach
  • Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has also ruled himself out of role

Ricky Ponting has ruled out becoming one of England’s new coaches after telling director of cricket Rob Key he is not interested in the job.

The former Australia captain, 47, is currently in India, where he is the coach of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. Key had hoped Ponting might be tempted to combine that role with running England’s white-ball sides.

But Ponting has made clear his unavailability, as has another Key target, ex-Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Ex-Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting has ruled out being one of England’s new coaches

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene (left) has also made clear his unavailability

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene (left) has also made clear his unavailability

Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that Ottis Gibson has emerged as a candidate for the Test job, with Key set to split the red-ball and white-ball roles. 

The 53-year-old Gibson has already coached two sides at international level – his native West Indies and South Africa – and until January had spent two years in charge of Bangladesh’s fast bowlers. 

Crucially, he formed a strong rapport with several of England’s senior players during his second stint as their fast-bowling coach between 2015 and 2017, having previously done the job between 2007 and 2010. 

One figure who may come into the reckoning for the white-ball set-up is Nick Knight, who averaged 40 in 100 one-day matches for England.

Rob Key is looking to make important appointments before first Test of summer in June

Ottis Gibson has emerged as England's potential Test coach despite recently signing a three-year deal to take over as head coach of Yorkshire

Ottis Gibson (right) has emerged as England’s potential Test coach despite recently signing a three-year deal to take over at Yorkshire with Rob Key (left) eyeing fresh appointments



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