The former champion Australian quick was the clear early favourite to take control of the England cricket team last year when Peter Moores was dumped following a dismal World Cup and a drawn Test series with the West Indies.

But England sided with fellow Australian Trevor Bayliss and Gillespie says he can let out a sigh of relief at the outcome, admitting he was far from guaranteed to have accepted an offer.

“In a funny kind of way it’s worked out well,” Gillespie said.

“At the time, it would’ve been a difficult job to turn down – one of the best jobs in world cricket.

“You’d have to weigh that up. It would’ve been a tough decision … but I didn’t have to make that call [and] it would’ve been tough to accept. Everyone just assumes you’re going to take these roles and do things just because you’re offered it… but it’s not quite as straightforward as that.”

For the same reason he’s reluctant to put his name forward for any positions with the Australian national team, Gillespie was hesitant to take on the all-encompassing England role as he didn’t want to spend time away from his young family.

“If the kids were a little bit older, you can potentially look at things a bit differently. but at the moment they’re 10, eight, six and three,” he said.

Jason Gillespie has spoken of his relief at being overlooked for the England job last year.”I don’t want to be away seven or eight months a year not seeing them grow up, and be their dad.”

The Adelaide Strikers coach this week announced he would leave his role mentoring England county side Yorkshire, which he has led from the second division to consecutive County Championship titles, to return to Australia.

-AAP