Gary Kirsten would 'love' return to international coaching

Gary Kirsten has confirmed he would "love to get back into international cricket" despite missing out on the role of England head coach.

While Kirsten said he was "not bothered" by having failed to win the England role, he insisted he was prepared to endure the months on the road that are inherent with international coaching and said he would have accepted the job had it been offered.

Kirsten was seen as favourite for the England job once Alec Stewart pulled out of the reckoning. He has enjoyed successful spells as coach of India and South Africa and, having initially said he would only consider the position in one format of the game (either red- or white-ball coach, but not both), then reconsidered and made himself available for the entire role.

But he is believed to have underwhelmed in his interview. As well as demonstrating comparatively little knowledge of England's current team, he seems to have expressed some trepidation towards the side's relentless schedule. And while he is adamant he was keen on the job, he admitted he was apprehensive about the time he would have been required to spend away from home.

"I wouldn't have flown across the world if my heart wasn't in the job," Kirsten told ESPNcricinfo. "It would have been a great opportunity. I've always wanted to be involved in English cricket. But it is hectic, without a doubt. It means you are probably away from home for 250 days a year.

"My kids are little and I placed a huge importance on being able to see them as regularly as I could. But I discussed it with my wife, we've done it before with India so we know the space, and we said 'we'll make it work if we can'. They [the ECB] said they were going to create [some space for time off in the schedule].

"I'm not bothered by the decision. Everyone makes the call they need to. It's great to be part of the Hundred, actually. I was going to lose that if I got the England job. This will be exciting."

Despite his enthusiasm for the Hundred, where he will coach Welsh Fire, Kirsten hinted he may pursue more international coaching roles in the future.

"I'd love to get back into international cricket," he said. "I've been out of international cricket for six years. I only came over to England because I was excited by the opportunity. I would have accepted the job."