Paul Farbrace "definitely not going to be Kent's next director of cricket"

The former England assistant coach confirmed his interest in the role to The Cricketer last week but appeared to quash that possibility after Sussex's defeat by Gloucestershire on Friday

Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace has reaffirmed his commitment to the club and denied he is set for a return to Kent as director of cricket.

This is Farbrace's first season in charge at Hove and his side are in the midst of a disastrous Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign.

The former England assistant coach confirmed his interest in the role to The Cricketer last week following the announcement that Paul Downton would retire from the position at the end of the season.

However, he appeared to quash the possibility of him returning to Canterbury after Sussex's heavy defeat by Gloucestershire on Friday.

"I'm definitely not going to be Kent's next director of cricket," he told the ECB Reporters Network. I'm staying here, provided I don't get shown the door in the next few days."

Farbrace did not hold back in the criticism of his team after watching them lose for a fifth time in the One-Day Cup.

"It would be fair to say that we were out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded," he said. "And that's what we've just talked about in the changing room. They know they've been embarrassed, and embarrassed is the word.

^{Paul Farbrace is Sussex's head coach (Michael Steele/Getty Images)}

"We know we've got to do a damn sight better than that if we're going to win games of cricket.  We've still got two games remaining in this competition and we've got to show our members and supporters a bit of pride, that we care about playing for Sussex.  Because today, at times, it looked as though we didn't care."

Kent, where Farbrace started his career as a coach and player, are currently ninth in Division One.

The Kent role became vacant when Downton announced his intention to step down at the end of the season.

Others believed to be in the running include former players David Fulton and Min Patel. Ed Smith, the former England selector, and Tim Groenewald, the former seam bowler, are understood to have no interest in the role at this time, though both were invited to apply.

Farbrace's track record as coach is exceptional. Having led Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2014, he was appointed assistant coach of England where he played a key part in the improvement of form which led to victory in the 2019 World Cup. In his time at Warwickshire (2019-2022), he led the side to the County Championship and Bob Willis trophies in 2021.

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