Last Updated on 13 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Mike Hesson says he is “open” to the possibility of coaching Pakistan’s Test side on a full-time basis if the opportunity is presented to him. Pakistan’s white-ball coach was given the reins of the Test side for the last match of the England series after the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the squad and coaching staff.
Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 but showed some fight in the third Test at Edgbaston. They posted 449 in their second innings and had England reeling at 0 for 2 at the start of the fourth innings. Hesson thought the players had shown good character in the difficult circumstances surrounding the team before the match.
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Mike Hesson: Pakistan have skill I’d be considering looking after in Test cricket
Speaking in a post-match press conference after the third Test, Hesson was asked about whether he will coach the Test side permanently now, to which he said, “I haven’t even contemplated that at this stage. I’ve got the Asian Games coming back about a week after I get back, and that’s my main focus in terms of the white ball. And then by the time that arrives, I’m sure we would have had some discussions about the Test team going forward.”
However, Hesson indicated that he is aware of the possibility if such a role becomes available.
“Yeah, I’ll be open to it for sure,” he said. “I love Test cricket, and I think there’s enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we can provide some good direction, we can make some strides forward. But it’s certainly not going to happen in a game or two. But I think there’s some skill there that I’d certainly be considering looking after.”
Hesson also revealed he had been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board to take over as their Test coach after Brendon McCullum’s departure. But he opted to remain loyal to Pakistan and stay with the team till next year’s ODI World Cup.
“I was contacted by my agent to say, ‘Hey, [there has been] an approach to have a discussion, and my availability,’ as I’m sure many people were, and I made it pretty clear that I’d committed to Pakistan,” Hesson said.
“I don’t really believe in having a job to get another job. That’s not really the way I’ve ever operated. Most of the positions I’ve been in, I’ve been in for five or six years. I sort of see it through, and then you have a break, and you refresh and try for something else. So that’s kind of the way I operate.”
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