England interim managing director Andrew Strauss said that the ECB would keep an eye on Paul Collingwood in the West Indies as they are considering giving him a full-time responsibility. Strauss believes that it would be a great opportunity for him to impress.
Paul Collingwood has been appointed as head coach for the 3-match Test series in West Indies to be played next month. After the Ashes debacle, England made wholesale changes in their management as they sacked head coach Chris Silverwood, assistant coach Graham Thorpe and managing director Ashley Giles.
Paul Collingwood worked as the assistant coach under Chris Silverwood
Also in the squad, England made some big changes as they dropped the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Jos Buttler.
Strauss backed Paul Collingwood for the job as he stated that Collinwood, who worked with England under previous management, would be easier to gel with the team.
“For that tour of the West Indies, it’s a five-week tour, it feels like there’s a distinct advantage of having someone who has been part of that set-up already, with an established relationship with players and other support staff, Paul obviously deputised for Chris Silverwood out in the West Indies with the T20 team and had done a very good job out there by all accounts.” Andrew Strauss said.
Collingwood is a strong contender to become England’s white-ball coach on a full-time basis.
“He is definitely one we should have an eye on moving forward for a head coach role. It’s an opportunity for him to understand what that job entails and to start this process with the red-ball reset as well.
“He’s the right sort of character to do that. He’s enthusiastic, he’s got bundles of energy and is very clear on how he sees the England Test team playing, so it’s a great opportunity for him.”
The first test between England and West Indies will be played at North Sound from March 8. England hasn’t won a Test series in West Indies since 2004. In fact, they won just one series there in the last 50 years.
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