Gillespie to hold England job talks

Jason Gillespie will hold talks with England director Andrew Strauss in the next day over the vacant head coach's position.

The BBC reported the former Australia Test bowler and current Yorkshire coach had spoken to Strauss on the phone and would now sit down to discuss the role.

The England and Wales Cricket Board did not comment, but did not deny that talks were scheduled.

Meanwhile, Strauss said a new England coach may not be in place before the Ashes start in July.

"There is a ticking clock ahead of the Ashes, but we won't rush it," Strauss told the BBC.

"In an ideal world we'll have someone in place before that, but not if it's not the right man."

Paul Farbrace, Moores's assistant, is in charge of the side for the two-Test series against New Zealand.

Gillespie appeared to pour cold water on the prospects of him coaching England on Tuesday, claiming coaching Yorkshire was his "dream job" and his role next summer with the Adelaide Strikers was something he was "looking forward to sinking my teeth into".

Strauss also promised the new England cricket coach would not be a made a "whipping boy".

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden recently suggested anyone succeeding Moores would be the "target" for an establishment kicking if things went wrong.

With former England captain Strauss, in his new role as England director of cricket, above any coach in the hierarchy, concerns have also been expressed as to how much authority will be granted to Moores's successor.

And there are those who've argued that with Strauss continuing to rule out star batsman Kevin Pietersen from England selection because of "trust" issues, any new coach won't have a free hand.

"The new coach is going to be given the opportunity and space to do his job,” Strauss said.

"He is not going to be a whipping boy for me or anyone else," insisted the former Middlesex opener as the first England side since his new appointment contested the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace is currently in caretaker charge for the two-match series with New Zealand while Tom Moody, like Gillespie a former Australia international, has also been linked with the full-time post.

But Strauss, in a separate interview with Sky Sports, kept his cards close to his chest.

"The only way this process works properly is if there's complete confidentiality. It's not fair (otherwise) on any of the candidates.

"We're trying to do this quickly as possible but we've got to make sure we pick the right person, so we're not in a rush on it."

Meanwhile Strauss said there was a "bigger picture" regarding his decision to keep Pietersen in the international wilderness, having informed him he wouldn't be considered for selection in this season's matches with New Zealand and Australia shortly after England's all-time leading run-scorer in all formats had posted a triple-century for Surrey.

"I was pretty clear in what I wanted to do in order to take the team forward and I think it is all about culture and environment," he said.

"That's how we're going to get the best out of our players, that's how we're going to produce a side that people down the track are proud of and will encourage people to play the game and watch the game.

"With the current situation, it's impossible to create that culture. In a sense, for me, it was a clear decision (to not select Pietersen) even though it was a very difficult one."