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Paul Collingwood, England Men’s Assistant Coach has been appointed Interim Head Coach for next month’s three-match Test tour of the Caribbean. Chris Silverwood stepped down last week following the team’s 0-4 series defeat in the Ashes against Australia.

Paul Collingwood, who took charge of England’s T20 tour of the West Indies last month, is currently taking a break in Barbados before joining the touring party when they arrive in Antigua on 25 February.

Chris Silverwood Getty Images — Chris Silverwood- Getty Images

Paul Collingwood Excited To Lead Test Team For Caribbean Tour

Paul Collingwood, 45, takes over after Chris Silverwood stepped down last week following the Ashes debacle. England’s squad will be announced on Tuesday and they will fly out on Thursday. The first Test begins on March 8 in Antigua.

Paul Collingwood is a former captain of England’s limited-overs side who led the team to the 2010 World T20 title. He took charge of the team’s T20I tour of the West Indies last month which England lost 2-3.

“I am genuinely excited to be leading the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean. I can’t wait to get started, ” Paul Collingwood said.

Paul Collingwood played 68 Tests, 197 One-day Internationals and 36 T20 for England.© AFP

“Having a challenging Test series against the West Indies straight off the back of the Ashes disappointment gives us a chance from now to reset and rebuild. Playing Test matches for England is the highest accolade in the game.

My objective is to give players clarity, direction and encouragement for them to start building something special, ” Paul Collingwood said.

“I have spoken to Joe Root and Ben Stokes, and both are excited and passionate to take the team forward in this new cycle.

Although they know it won’t be easy, they have the desire and bravery to do things differently to ensure the team can prosper. We have an opportunity to get back on track, ” Paul Collingwood said.

Paul Collingwood will be England’s head coach for their Test series against West Indies next month after being appointed as a stand-in by Andrew Strauss, the ECB’s interim managing director of men’s cricket. The touring party will be announced later this week and departs the UK on Thursday 24 February.

Chris Silverwood And Ashley Giles Were Sacked Following Ashes Defeat

Chris Silverwood was sacked last week after just over two years as head coach, paying the price for England’s latest thrashing in an away Ashes series. Ashley Giles also lost his job as managing director following the 4-0 series defeat.

Paul Collingwood, who was appointed as an assistant coach in late 2019 after several years working as a consultant for the England team, filled in as head coach when Chris Silverwood missed an ODI series against Ireland in 2020 and recently oversaw the 3-2 defeat against West Indies in last month’s T20I series in Barbados.

The ECB is expected to announce the squad for the tour on Tuesday, with Alex Lees, James Bracey and Josh Bohannon among the contenders to bolster England’s batting after they failed to reach 300 across five Ashes Tests.

Paul Collingwood was the first England men’s captain to lift an ICC trophy, the 2010 World T20, and has worked closely with Eoin Morgan since his international retirement in 2011.

As revealed at the end of the Ashes last month, England is keen to take a look at Alex Lees, who seems likely to replace Rory Burns as an opener in the Caribbean partnering Zak Crawley.

Jos Buttler’s Test career may be over with both Sam Billings, who filled in as wicketkeeper for the final Ashes Test in Hobart, and Ben Foakes in line to be picked for the West Indies tour. Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse are both seen as bright prospects but with the latter injured it is Saqib Mahmood who may get his chance now.