Thorpe leading contender to replace Gooch as England`s batting coach: Cook

London: England Test and ODI captain Alastair Cook has confirmed that former English cricketer Graham Thorpe is the leading contender to replace the team`s national batting coach Graham Gooch.

Cook along with new head coach Peter Moores have reportedly opted for a `clean slate` as they are looking ahead to rebuild a team with a changed culture and could turn to Thorpe instead of Gooch, who has been relieved of his duties as England`s batting coach in the nation`s latest post- Ashes cull. The skipper indicated that having a Test-playing experience would be an advantage for whoever becomes the new batting coach and Thorpe, who has played in 100 Tests for England, comes with that experience, The Guardian reported. Cook said that Thorpe is the obvious choice for the new batting coach, adding that the former batsman is still one-day batting coach and would be going to Scotland with them next week. England, who are rebuilding after their disastrous winter in Australia and disappointment in the World Twenty20, are preparing for their ODI with Scotland in Aberdeen on Friday next week, the report added.