England appoint Chris Silverwood as new head coach

The England and Wales Cricket Board have named Chris Silverwood as their new head coach. He replaces Australian Trevor Bayliss who left the post after the end of the Ashes after four years in charge. The 44-year old gets a major promotion from his role as the fast bowling coach of the team.

Silverwood has prior experience as head coach, having garnered praise for leading Essex to the County Championship title in 2017. Silverwood played six Test matches and seven ODIs for England between 1996 and 2002. In his capacity as the fast bowling coach, he has established a good rapport with the players, including Test captain Joe Root who is a big supporter of his credentials.

The outstanding candidate for the job

He becomes the only the second Englishman after Peter Moores to coach the national side on a full-time basis since 1999. He was the unanimous choice of the ECB’s selection panel, beating former India coach Gary Kirsten who was the rumoured favourite for the job.

Managing Director of England’s Men’s Cricket, Ashley Giles said in a statement:

“We are delighted to confirm Chris as England Men’s head coach. We have gone through a thorough process and looked at all the options that were available to us. Chris was the standout candidate.”

Giles further added:

“I believe he is what we need to take our international teams forward. He is somebody we know well, but it is his intimate understanding of our structures and systems and his close relationships with Test captain Joe Root and white-ball captain Eoin Morgan that will help us develop our plans for the next few years. He has performed exceptionally well during his role as an assistant coach and has the ultimate respect of the players’ that have worked with him.”

Impressing during the interview process

Giles also revealed that Silverwood impressed greatly during the interview process. This along with his familiarity with the current crop of players made him the outstanding candidate for the job. England have a few high-profile assignments ahead including the 2020 T20 World Cup and the Ashes 2020-21 down under in Australia.

“Chris demonstrated in his interview a clear understanding and strategy of how both the red and white ball teams need to evolve. He has some detailed thoughts on what it will take to win the Ashes in Australia and win major ICC white-ball tournaments.”

Silverwood also issued a statement, expressing his delight at being presented the opportunity to coach the national side. He stated:

“I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed England head coach. I aim to continue the great work that has been done over the past five years and build on our future, especially in the Test arena. I have enjoyed working with the players over the past two seasons, and developing the best crop of talent in the English game.”

Silverwood’s first assignment as the new head coach will be a tough tour of New Zealand. England will play 5 T20Is and 2 Test matches starting on November 21 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.