ENGLAND batting coach Graham Gooch said he is fully committed to his current role – although he would still love to help Essex .

The former captain who was head coach at the Ford County Ground from 2001 to 2005 confirmed he wants to stay as the national side’s batting coach.

Pressure has mounted on the 60-year-old after the disastrous Ashes tour where England made more than 300 in an innings only twice in ten attempts with a high of 353 in Perth .

However Gooch who had two spells as national captain during his career said he wants to be the batting coach for England .

“In the long term it is not my decision to make,” he said.

“But it is always a great honour to represent your country whether it is as a player or coach and that’s something I’d like to continue.

“No one wants to leave the England set up after a tour like the one we just had as you want to put things right and I’m always committed to my country as I have been from 1975 to 2014.”

When asked whether he would consider returning to Essex, where is he still an ambassador, should he lose his England role, Gooch suggested he might consider it.

Gooch said: “I spent such a long time representing Essex with my first class debut in 1973 and my first appearance for the second team in 1968.

“It’s always good to serve Essex Cricket as it’s in the blood and always will be.”

Looking at who could be the next England head coach, Gooch said bookies favourite Ashley Giles is a strong candidate but the search needs to be widespread.

“I think Ashley is a very studious coach and a good man,” he said.

“He’s obviously well positioned as he’s already in the set up as one day coach but I think it is also right and proper to advertise as you never know who will apply.

“I think we must remember what a good job Andy Flower did.

“Forgetting the recent tour, he had four years of success and was an outstanding England coach.”