England coach Chris Silverwood sacked after Ashes humiliation

Heads continue to roll within England cricket as yet another leader bites the dust after a horrendous Ashes tour of Australia.

England cricket coach Chris Silverwood has been sacked after a disastrous Ashes tour.

The 46-year-old was under intense pressure to keep his job after his side crashed to a humiliating 4-0 series defeat and on Friday morning (AEDT) it was confirmed he would no longer be in charge of the national team.

Watch The Dettol T20 Series Australia vs Sri Lanka. Every Game Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“During his time in the role Chris has given absolutely everything to make a success of it. He is a man of great integrity, who players and staff alike have enjoyed working with,” said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison.

“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 added: “It’s been an absolute honour to be England head coach, and I’m extremely proud to have worked alongside our players and staff. I want to thank them all for the hard work and commitment they have given during my time in the role and I wish them all the very best moving forward.

“The last two years have been very demanding but I have really enjoyed my time with the team and working with (Joe Root) and (Eoin Morgan), and I am very proud of this group considering the challenges. I leave with fond memories and I am now looking forward to spending some quality time at home with my family and embracing the next chapter.”

Chris Silverwood won’t be working with Joe Root any longer. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The move comes a day after managing director of England men’s cricket Ashley Giles “stepped down” from his position as he also paid the price for a woeful summer Down Under.

The drubbing in Australia followed a poor 2021 where England lost nine of its 15 Tests and was beaten in the semi-finals of the World Twenty20.

Giles was appointed at the end of 2018, replacing former England captain Andrew Strauss, who will now take over on an interim basis ahead of next month’s three-Test series in the West Indies.

“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,” Harrison in a statement.

With AFP