Ford keen on England coaching job

Graham Ford, the Kent director of cricket, has said he is interested in the vacant England coaching job provided the ECB "do their homework". His was one of the names doing the rounds before and after Peter Moores was sacked, but Ford was cautious of rushing into England's next assignment, a full tour of the West Indies, without the players' backing.

"Anybody would be interested in being coach of England but I'd need to find out more," Ford was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "Were I to be considered the ECB would have to do their homework and make sure the players are behind me."

Ford, 48, coached South Africa between 1999 and 2002 - winning eight of 11 series - and has been involved with Kent since 2005. He earned his coaching spurs during a popular and effective stint in the nineties in charge of Natal, where Kevin Pietersen played his first competitive cricket. He also worked with Pietersen during his school days. Ford has one year on his contract with Kent.

"I wouldn't mind being back on the big stage and I've been a part of the English system for a while. I've worked with a couple of the England players," said Ford. "To do well at international level you need to have been coaching for a long stint and I think I've got that experience.

"I have a fantastic relationship with Kent, they've been absolutely brilliant and I've enjoyed my time immensely with them. They've been really supportive. I don't think they'd stand in my way if I wanted the England job."

In 2007 Ford was set to take over as India's coach, but he opted to stay on with Kent. He had also declined an offer to coach Sri Lanka in 2003. Ford had also been interviewed for the role of New Zealand coach after John Bracewell stepped down late last year.

"I'm not the kind of person to make a decision overnight and being involved in the West Indies would certainly be a rush job," added Ford, referring to England's forthcoming tour of the Caribbean. England's current coaching assembly, minus Moores, will assist the squad for four Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international against West Indies starting in February.