Giles takes charge ahead of England’s huge 12 months
New managing director succeeds Strauss in role Replacement for Bayliss heads list of priorities
Ashley Giles yesterday accepted the position of managing director of the England team and will start work in time for the tour to West Indies next month.
Giles will be responsible for the long-term strategy of the England men’s team, with his first priority to begin the search for a new head coach to take over from Trevor Bayliss when he steps down in September.
Giles agreed terms yesterday and leaves his job as sports director at Warwickshire after the county and the England and Wales Cricket Board negotiated a compensation package.
Giles, 45, rejoins the England setup 4½ years after he was made redundant as coach of the one-day team, a victim of the fallout from the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash.
He replaces Andrew Strauss, who has resigned in order to spend more time with his family while his wife is being treated for cancer.
He will oversee the final preparations for England’s home World Cup campaign next summer, followed by the Ashes series.
Giles will also conduct a review of the England academy at Loughborough as the board looks to make cuts to help pay for the launch of the Hundred competition in 2020.
“I am delighted to be joining the ECB and shaping the future of England cricket throughout the men’s game,” said Giles in a statement.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity and excited about working with some talented people. The legacy left by Andrew Strauss has put the performance programme in a stable place.
“It is fundamental that I facilitate the great work currently being carried out, meet our objectives and help our sport achieve great things in the coming years, both domestically and internationally.
“I believe it is important for the game to have a strong international set-up, which is showing great promise in what will be a significant year for our red and white-ball teams leading into the World Cup this summer and the Ashes.
“The next 12 months could transform the game like no other time in recent memory.”
ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said: “We were fortunate throughout this process to interview some of the most talented and respected people in the game. “Ashley was the standout candidate amongst a very strong field. He will bring a fresh perspective to the role and build on the excellent work carried out by Andrew Strauss over the past three and a half years.” Warwickshire will now begin a search for a new director of cricket, a job that could tempt Paul Farbrace, the England assistant coach, or Andy Flower.
The county said in a statement: “We always knew that Ashley would be a strong contender for this England role, if and when it came up, and that opportunity has arisen sooner than we would have hoped for or expected.
“We know that there will be a lot of interest from around the world as Warwickshire is a very special club and this is one of the top jobs in the game. However, we will take our time to make sure that we appoint the right person with the right skills and experience.” AMERICAN FOOTBALL: BOXING: CRICKET: DARTS: FOOTBALL: GOLF: HOCKEY: HORSE RACING: RUGBY UNION: SNOOKER: TABLE TENNIS:
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