GILES: I LOST SLEEP OVER COACH CHOICE
ASHLEY GiLES admits the process of appointing a new England coach gave him sleepless nights but he is pleased the man he identified as best for the job is English.
Giles, England’s managing director of cricket, was responsible for selecting Chris Silverwood, making him only the second homegrown head coach, following two stints by Peter Moores, since David Lloyd relinquished the post in 1999.
Silverwood had been fastbowling coach for the past 21 months, but the promotion from within was criticised by those keen on fresh ideas.
‘Why is knowledge of your own system so negative?’ asks Giles. ‘Would we rather bring someone in who is going to turn it upside down? i wouldn’t because it’s going to make my job much harder. He’s a good man with solid values and i’m pleased the right man is English because it helps break that cycle where we couldn’t employ an English coach and we’ve got a good one here.
‘There’s a steeliness to him that i don’t think you particularly want to cross as a player.
‘The hairdryer treatment is a bit dated but one of the things that’s impressed me about him, from what i’ve seen and the people i’ve spoken to, is the way he manages people. it bodes well.’
Nevertheless, Giles added: ‘it took me a couple of long days and sleepless nights but that’s the way it should be. it’s a big job and we take these decisions seriously.’
Silverwood, referred to by Giles as ‘Hannibal’, will have at least two English assistant coaches in Graham Thorpe and Paul Collingwood.
That pair and a yet to be named pace-bowling specialist might occasionally be asked to front the team to allow the head coach to take a break.
Although Saqlain Mushtaq’s 100-day-a-year contract is not being renewed, there is scope to draft in ad hoc coaching consultants.
Meanwhile, Giles revealed he had spoken to Ben and Clare Stokes in the aftermath of pictures emerging from last week’s PCA dinner in which the all-rounder’s hand was against his wife’s face.
‘Domestic violence is a really serious issue, we’re not making light of that at all. But in this instance it’s a very happy couple having some fun and a picture telling a thousand words, but just the wrong ones,’ Giles said.
WOMEN’S World Cup-winning players Katherine Brunt and Natalie Sciver announced their engagement yesterday.