Fitzpatrick targets England role

By Sam Lyon

Fitzpatrick admits she would love to take on the England role

Former Australia pace bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick has applied to succeed Richard Bates as England women's coach.

Bates is stepping down after four years in charge, having guided England to four successive series wins, including the 2005 Women's Ashes.

And Fitzpatrick, who has been working with the elite squads at Australia's Centre of Excellence in recent years, admits she would "love" the job.

"I am interested and have got in touch with the ECB," she told BBC Sport.

Interview: Australian Cathryn Fitzpatrick

The 39-year-old, the fastest bowler in women's cricket, announced her retirement after 16 years playing the game last month.

It would be fantastic for me to be given the chance to get in there, roll my sleeves up and get my hands dirty Cathryn Fitzpatrick

And, having worked alongside the likes of former England bowling coach Troy Cooley at the Centre in Brisbane, Fitzpatrick is keen to cut her teeth as Bates's successor.

"I think I've got quite a few things to offer," she said. "Obviously I'm fresh out of cricket so my knowledge of how the women's game has evolved and needs to continue to evolve is quite fresh.

"I think I would also bring a lot through my recent experiences at the Centre of Excellence and being fortunate enough to have worked with some excellent people like (new Australia coach) Tim Nielsen, Jamie Siddons, Mike Young and Troy Cooley in the last 12 months.

Fitzpatrick has worked with the likes of Brett Lee, right, in Brisbane

"There's a broad mix of all the different skills involved there. I'd like to think I have leant from them all - and I may just have a few secret weapons as well."

Fitzpatrick also paid tribute to Bates, saying: "He has done a fantastic job. He built on the success of John Harmer before him and there's quite a legacy to be continued there.

"It would be fantastic for me to be given the chance to get in there, roll my sleeves up and get my hands dirty and maybe introduce some different things.

"But I wouldn't like or need to change too much as they are on the right track as it is."