Kirsten: Test schedule too tough on family life

Cricket365
April 17, 2014

Former South Africa coach Gary Kirsten feels short term jobs like the IPL and Caribbean Premier League will soon become the norm for older coaches, given how busy the Test calendar has become.

Kirsten left his post with the Proteas in order to spend more time with his family, and turned down the chance to take the England job for the same reasons. He then took up the head coaching job with the Delhi Daredevils.

Kirsten told the BBC of the choice: "It is a decision I made. It's an intense eight weeks, I have enjoyed the melting pot of cultures and it is fantastic working with all the different cultures.

"From the perspective of being away from home it works really well. It's intense for eight weeks and then you're at home doing what you need to do.

"The England job is a massive job but there are few Test-playing nations so there are few of these jobs. This (the IPL) is a great opportunity for coaches.

"Coaching has become a young man's game and everyone is going to have family difficulties, which is why we are seeing a lot of split coaching.

"In 2012 I had 250 days away from home which, to have any sort of family life, is not feasible."

The former Proteas opener then said he had never really considered the England job, for the same reasons he left the Proteas. While he was pleased to be thought of as a top candidate, it would not have worked for him.

Kirsten continued: "It was a privilege to be in the mix, some calls were made but from the outset it was a principle decision
.
"It's an honour to be asked to do a job of that nature, an incredible task and a great opportunity for any coach, but my set of circumstances were not right for me to consider it."