SHANE Warne today confirmed he did receive a "joking" inquiry from his former Hampshire colleague Kevin Pietersen about his availability to coach England - but has made it clear he has no pressing interest in the position.

Following the sacking of Peter Moores, reports surfaced in Australia yesterday that Pietersen - who has since resigned as England captain, to be replaced by Andrew Strauss - had previously asked his friend and former Rose Bowl team-mate Warne if the coach's job appealed to him.

The Australian master leg-spinner does not appear to have taken Pietersen's approach especially seriously.

"Yes, KP dipped his toe in the water jokingly," Warne said today.

He does not entirely rule out the prospect of coaching England, or any other country, but hints the terms of employment would need to be very substantial to tempt him back to a life of constant international travel - after his recent retirement as a player.

"I have enjoyed coaching and managing the Rajasthan Royals (in the Indian Premier League), but that is for a couple of months a year," added the 39-year-old.

"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 nominates another Australian as the best candidate to succeed Moores.

He believes ex-Yorkshire captain Darren Lehmann has the ideal credentials.

"I'd like to throw in the name of an Australian who would do a really good job; not SK Warne, but Darren Lehmann.

"As a player, he did wonders for Yorkshire and had the respect of everyone. Now he has moved into coaching. He would be great at installing confidence right across the board, through the players, the England and Wales Cricket Board, sponsors, supporters ... everybody."

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