Australian cricket great Shane Warne was “jokingly” sounded out by departed England captain Kevin Pietersen about becoming England coach. The retired leg-spin bowler said the approach came recently by text message from Pietersen, who resigned on Wednesday over differences with coach Peter Moores. Moores was fired on the same day. “Yes, KP dipped his toe in the water jokingly,” Warne, who was befriended by Pietersen during the Australian's time in England with county side Hampshire, wrote Friday in his Times of London column. In all likelihood Pietersen's resignation will remove any chance of Warne taking on the job - particularly with an Ashes series looming in July and August. Warne, the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket when he retired nearly two years ago, has existing cricketing commitments - as captain-coach with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and an ambassadorial role with spin bowlers for Cricket Australia. He was also a commentator for Nine Network's cricket coverage in Australia. “At this stage, I have a full book. I have enjoyed coaching and managing the Rajasthan Royals, but that is for a couple of months a year,” the 39-year-old Warne said. “I could not give a full-time position the time required to do the job. In any case, following a team around the world is what I have given up. “If that is what I wanted, I would still be a player, but - and we all have this ‘but' in life - if an offer comes that sounds too good to be true, I would have to stop and think.” Warne believes another Australian, ex-Yorkshire captain Darren Lehmann, has the credentials to succeed Moores. Opening batsman Andrew Strauss has been named captain and assistant coach Andy Flower mentioned as a fill
