Strauss interested in England cricket director role

Andrew Strauss has confirmed he would be interested in succeeding Paul Downton in the role of director of England cricket.

Strauss, the former England captain, admitted he found the "allure" of the job "undeniable" but suggested he would require more information before he could seriously consider it.

The ECB sacked Downton last week after just over a year in the job. While England won a Test series against India in that time, they were humbled at the World Cup and the shambolic way in which Kevin Pietersen was sacked dogged Downton throughout his time at the ECB.

Strauss was tipped for the role at the time of Downton's appointment, but felt it was too soon to move into cricket administration. But now he has emerged among a trio of candidates - Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart are the others - to replace Downton in a slightly re-branded role.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Strauss expressed some sympathy for Downton - stating that he "did not have the time to implement a long-term strategy for England to win the World Cup" - but accepted that England had made little progress over the past year.

"It is hard to create any sort of dialogue that English cricket is in a better place today than when Downton started," Strauss said.

"The ECB seems to be attempting to bring his replacement closer to the team, with more influence over the players and thus more accountability for their performances.

"To anyone who is passionate about cricket, the allure of such a job is undeniable. I am certainly interested in any role that might help English cricket move forward.

"The question, however, is: what exactly is the new job?

Meanwhile the Telegraph has reported that Jason Gillespie, the Yorkshire coach who is tipped as the favourite to replace Peter Moores in the England role within the next few months, could be lost to English cricket.

South Australia have recently parted company with their head coach, Darren Berry, and are believed to want Gillespie as his replacement. Gillespie has already accepted the opportunity to coach Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League next season.

The ECB is unable to act, however, as it has decided to allow the new England director a chance to assemble his own team of support staff, including the head coach. While the board is hopeful of filling the director role soon - possibly within days - that may come too late for Gillespie.

Either way, news that England are considering candidates for the role who have already expressed their doubts about Moores - Vaughan suggested he should be "removed" from the head coach role only last month - will do nothing to reassure an England dressing room seeking stability as they go into the Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean.