BRUTAL ECB READY TO TAKE THE LANG ROAD

paying the price for England’s woeful Test run. Doubts persist over Langer’s future despite the 4-0 Ashes triumph, and he is viewed as a long-term option with coaching roles split between white and red ball cricket.

South African duo Gary Kirsten (above, left) and Mickey Arthur (second right) along with Aussie Jason Gillespie (second left) have also been mooted as Test replacements while Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (top, right) is a target for the white ball job.

Giles’ predecessor Andrew Strauss has returned on an interim basis and will look to install a coach – possibly Alec Stewart as a stand-in – for next month’s three Test series in the West Indies.

Silverwood’s No.2, Graham Thorpe, and performance chief Mo Bobat will also be axed.