Ashes 2022-22: “Chris Silverwood Has Proved To Be A Poor Appointment”: Michael Atherton Slams England Coach

England coach Chris Silverwood is under the pump over his team’s debatable performance in the ongoing Ashes series. Joe Root’s men have lost the first three Tests lost the Ashes urn in the process too. Australia, on the other end, have given a dominating performance. 

Meanwhile, the English cricket fraternity have targeted Chris Silverwood and Joe Root to give up on their respective positions. While Silverwood’s replacement has been seriously talked about many are predicting that Root might need to give up on captaincy if England go on to lose 5-0

Writing his column for The Times, Michael Atherton said that Silverwood’s appointment was a poor decision by the management now being run by Ashley Giles. Giles has been targeted by Nick Compton as well saying that there needs to be a change in the management. 

There Is No Way Chris Silverwood Should Survive The Ashes: Michael Atherton

“There is no way Silverwood will (or should) survive the Ashes, which should allow a reorganisation of the coaching and selecting responsibilities. Chris Silverwood, the head coach, has proved to be a poor appointment; untried and untested at this level. He was given an extraordinary amount of power, but is out of his depth.”

“Coaching national teams is not regarded as the plum job it once was, given the schedules, and many of the brightest and best prefer the franchise circuit. The best coaches often come with a teaching link somewhere in their background.”

Silverwood apart from being the coach of the side is also the chief selector for England. However, the ECB is thinking hard on his replacement as well. Gary Kirsten, former India coach and South African cricketer has shown his interest on taking up a coaching role with the side. 

“Listen, it [the England job] is always a consideration because it’s a tremendous honour. I’ve walked this journey twice now and I’ve always made it clear that I would never commit to doing all formats. And when international cricket boards get their head around the fact that they need to split coaching roles, then it becomes a consideration” said Kirtsen on how he fathoms taking up the role.