Adam Hollioake covets England coaching job... but accepts it's not the right time for him just yet

RICHARD EDWARDS: The current assistant coach of Queensland – who is still a firm favourite in England and has worked with the England Lions in the past – admits that he would be a long-shot for the post

As the clock ticks down on Trevor Bayliss’s tenure as England coach, speculation mounts on who his successor is likely to be.

Bayliss will leave his role at the conclusion of the Ashes, hopefully with cricket’s most prestigious prize tucked safely under his arm.

Whether the next man is promoted from within or comes from outside the ECB’s current structure remains to be seen but, regardless, the fact is that the England job is likely to attract top candidates from across the world.

Adam Hollioake isn’t a name that has been linked with the job since Bayliss announced his intention to step down.

The current assistant coach of Queensland – who is still a firm favourite in England and has worked with the England Lions in the past – admits that he would be a long-shot for the post, arguing that his inexperience would almost certainly count against him.

^{Adam Hollioake would love to work with the England team}

But as an outside bet, Hollioake could well be worth a punt, particularly given his reputation as one of cricket’s great innovators.

Currently in England but returning to the Gold Coast shortly before the World Cup final, Hollioake still maintains his enormous passion for the game and, along with his job with Queensland’s Sheffield Shield side, has just enjoyed a hugely successful season as the head coach of the State’s under-17 and under-19 squads.

So would the England job be too much too soon?

“I would (throw my hat into the ring) but I’m not at that level yet,” he says. “I’m not experienced, I’ve only been back in coaching for a couple of years. If I’m being honest I don’t feel that I have that experience or am at that level but of course you don’t turn that job down.

“I was offered the England captaincy before I was ready but when things like that come along you don’t turn them down. But if I’m being realistic. There are better candidates than me at the moment.”

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Hollioake has been heavily involved with the England Lions in recent years, working alongside the likes of Peter Such and Bruce French with some of the country’s most promising prospects.

That’s an indication that he isn’t far from the minds of decision-makers at the ECB and he’s clearly highly rated Down Under, with both Queensland age-group sides winning their respective competitions this season.

“I’ve been around a little bit now but I’m still in nappies when it comes to coaching, really,” he says.

“I’m still finding my way and trying to improve.”

Bayliss has been in the job since the summer of 2015, when he began his England reign with a comprehensive home Ashes win over the Aussies. There have been plenty of ups and downs since, with England frustratingly inconsistent in the Test arena but sweeping all before them in 50-over cricket.

Before the World Cup at least.

^{Hollioake enjoyed a successful time as England captain}

And Hollioake believes that whoever takes over from Bayliss is a lucky man, with everything required for success already in place.

“What Trevor has done has been the hardest job – he has put together the team and also designed the template for way England play," he says. 

"Whoever comes in next is going to inherit a good side and they’re not that old so they should be around for a while.

"The new man will be facing an easier job than taking over a national side usually is. They need to carry on down the same path. They need to keep continuity of selection and keep that group of guys motivated and together.

“They don’t have to come up with ways of winning or a template for how the side should play because that has already been done.” 

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