ENGLAND’S FIGHT FOR FARBRACE
eNGlAND face another challenge to keep Paul Farbrace, with their highly rated No 2 understood to be of interest to Middlesex. Farbrace’s former county are seeking a new head coach and his name has emerged among the front-runners as they look for a successor to richard Scott, who was dismissed mid-season. The 51-year-old has been the subject of a number of approaches over the past few months, most notably in March when Bangladesh identified him as their primary target before turning to another englishman, Steve rhodes. Two months earlier, Kent offered him the chance to return to his previous role as the director of cricket and Worcestershire made overtures. Farbrace coached Sri lanka to a World Twenty20 and Asia Cup double in 2014 before leaving to become an assistant with england, first to Peter Moores and now with Trevor Bayliss, and is seen as a potential successor to the Australian when his contract expires in 12 months. However, the chance to shape Middlesex’s future under Angus Fraser, the club’s managing director of cricket, may appeal after five years on the international circuit. Other members of the england backroom team, including lions batting coach Mark ramprakash and Andy Flower — deputising as director while Andrew Strauss is on compassionate leave — are also understood to have been the subject of approaches.