CHRIS SILVERWOOD IS NEW ENGLAND COACH
YORKSHIREMAN IS HANDED UNANIMOUS PROMOTION TO TOP JOB
CHRIS SILVERWOOD was today installed as England cricket’s new head coach, replacing Trevor Bayliss, who stepped down last month at the end of the Ashes series.
Silverwood, who played six Tests for England as a fast bowler between 1996 and 2002, has been the team’s bowling coach since January 2018. He beat the well-qualified South African Gary Kirsten to the post, after a three-man panel “unanimously agreed that he was the outstanding candidate”.
The 44-year-old Yorkshireman (right, with Jofra Archer) has long held ambitions to replace Bayliss, who took over in 2015 and this summer guided England to World Cup glory.
The chief focus for Silverwood will be to improve England’s Test fortunes, after Joe Root’s team failed to win the Ashes on home soil for the first time since 2001. Silverwood has a strong red-ball record, having coached Essex to promotion in 2016 and then the County Championship title the following season.
The interview stage swung things Silverwood’s way, with the ECB panel — consisting of director of cricket Ashley Giles, chief executive Tom Harrison and head of coach development John Neal — understood to be unimpressed by Kirsten’s presentation.
Former South Africa opener Kirsten coached India to victory in the 2011 World Cup, then oversaw South Africa’s rise to the top of the Test rankings in 2012.
He was interested in coaching England and flew to London last week, but his desire to tour less also proved a sticking point.
Silverwood’s interview impressed Giles, who also said that his strong relationships with Root and one-day captain Eoin Morgan helped, too. Silverwood also has a solid working relationship with Ed Smith, the national selector.
Some felt that England would benefit from a new voice to reinvigorate their Test cricket, but Silverwood’s knowledge of the set-up has seen him appointed ahead of Kirsten and other foreign candidates, like
Graham Ford. Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart was in the frame until pulling out of the race due to family circumstances.
“We have gone through a thorough process and looked at all the options that were available to us,” said Giles. “Chris was the standout candidate.
“He 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.
“Over the past couple of years, he has been an integral member of developing the teams’ culture and [building] a cohesive relationship across the management group. Chris cares passionately about how we grow and develop the game through the county network. His relationships with the first-class game, in particular county coaches and directors of cricket, will be invaluable.”
Silverwood will take over immediately and will require replacing as bowling coach. England plan to have three assistants, with the possibility of a temporary bowling coach in place for the tour of New Zealand, which departs this month.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed England head coach,” said Silverwood. “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. I am excited to get started and build teams that the whole game can be proud of. There is a tremendous amount of talent coming through and there is enormous potential for growth. The hard work starts now and I am confident we can make a positive impact during our winter tours of New Zealand and South Africa.”