Reports | Gary Kirsten due to arrive in London on Tuesday to discuss England job

The 51-year-old, if hired, would stand to earn as much as £1million a year for three years, with the option of carrying on until England defend their World Cup trophy in India in 2023. 

Yet another factor that may prove decisive in Kirsten’s favour is Ashley Giles, the ECB’s managing director of men's cricket, who is eager to name Trevor Bayliss’ successor as soon as possible. Kirsten is also understood to have been encouraged by Giles’ plan to offer the new head coach enough breathing space to spend time with family in an increasingly packed schedule. Whether Kirsten is appointed will depend on an interview with the board on Wednesday, but is understood that Kirsten and Giles have already discussed the details of the role.

As England and Giles are keen to get the team playing consistent Test cricket, his Test numbers, of 7,289 runs in 101 Test matches at an average of 45, may prove a factor that goes in his favour. At least, captain Joe Root and Co. can learn to handle the criticism hurled most at them: the inability to bat for long periods of time.