England coach Chris Silverwood has left his post as the disastrous Ashes series continues its ramifications across English cricket.
Silverwood oversaw the side that lost 4-0 to Australia throughout December and January, missing the only game that England didn’t lose after testing positive to COVID before the fourth Test.
The 46-year-old – who took over in 2019 and has overseen plenty of white-ball success – has lost 10 of his last 14 Tests in charge.
His players struggled in Australian conditions, however Silverwood’s selections also drew criticism throughout the series as the side’s sole selector.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the decision after recommendations from a panel that included interim managing director Andrew Strauss and CEO Tom Harrison.
Strauss will be responsible for appointing a caretaker coach, with an announcement to come in the coming days.
“During his time in the role Chris has given absolutely everything to make a success of it,” Harrison said in the ECB’s statement.
“He is a man of great integrity, who players and staff alike have enjoyed working with.
“Under Chris, England men’s white-ball teams have been ranked first and second in the world while he also led the Test team to a number of series wins, including away in South Africa and Sri Lanka.
“He has led the England men’s team with great resilience and empathy through an incredibly challenging period for English cricket, and he deserves our sincere thanks and gratitude.
“In the coming days, Andrew Strauss will appoint a caretaker coach for the tour of the West Indies and will then consider the appropriate coaching structures to help England move forwards.”
Silverwood’s exit comes hot on the heels of the ECB’s announcement of Ashley Giles “standing down”, the now former director of cricket.
“Ashley Giles is standing down as managing director, England men’s cricket,” said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.
“Off the back of a disappointing men’s Ashes this winter we must ensure we put in place the conditions across our game to enable our Test team to succeed,” said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison in a statement.
Assistant coach Graham Thorpe’s job is also in jeopardy, however the ECB is yet to announce a decision on his position.
