‘Job number one is helping Joe’ – England’s new coach gives erratic Test team top priority
Chris Silverwood knows improving the inconsistent Test side is his first priority as England’s new head coach and is hoping continuity pays dividends.
The 44-year-old has been promoted from fast bowling coach to replace World Cup-winning head coach Trevor Bayliss, who stepped down last month at the end of his contract.
The time-travelling supercoach said at his unveiling press conference: “I think (there’s a good) relationship between myself and the two captains (Joe Root and Eoin Morgan), and I’ve got a strong relationship with all the players and backroom staff.
“I understand how the system works, how the team works. That continuity is key.
“The step up will bring a lot more responsibility. Not a lot will change, I’ll have to step back a little bit but I want (the players) to know I’m available.
“Job number one is helping Joe. We’ve got a lot of support around Joe, but to keep moving forward so that in two years’ time we can go to Australia and make a real impact.”
[jwplayer Ziorfkx9-yceS9uXa]
England aim to become the most successful team in international cricket across the various formats and Silverwood continued: “We will become that by building on the white-ball success we’ve already had – and let’s not forget we have two big white-ball tournaments coming up – and moving the Test team forward.
“That means batting a long period of time, building on the success we’ve had in the bowling and becoming more consistent in winning away from home.”
Ashley Giles, managing director of England men’s cricket, explained why he labelled Silverwood “the standout candidate” of a coaching search that also saw the likes of former South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten considered.
“His character, his values, he’s a winner – you can only prove that in the environment you’re in and he’s proven that in the domestic game,” said Giles of a man who led Essex to County Championship promotion and then the Division One title.
“The job he did at Essex was fantastic and we’re still seeing that legacy now. I think the sign of a good coach is leaving the club better than you found it and that seems to be in evidence.
“The relationship, the knowledge of what we’re doing – we’ve got an exceptional bloke who cares deeply about what we’re doing.”
READ: Congratulations, Chris Silverwood – but do England need a head coach?
Australian Bayliss and Zimbabweans Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower have had long spells in charge of the England team, with Peter Moores – and Giles in the white-ball teams – the only domestic coaches to hold the role this century.
Referring to the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University, Giles said: “I’m very keen that the national teams are more joined up with what we’re doing at Loughborough, we’re going to need a bigger pool of players.
“That then needs to be joined up with the county system. There should be that flow there that will work hand in hand, whereas at times we’ve worked as a bit of an island.
“An overseas coach doesn’t always help that because they don’t necessarily have that knowledge of our system.”
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.