After confirming the appointment of Paul Collingwood as interim head coach on Monday England’s extensive post-Ashes overhaul turns next to the playing staff, with an injection of fresh blood expected when the squad for the three-match tour of the West Indies is named on Tuesday.
Collingwood, who took charge of England’s squad for their T20 series in the Caribbean last month, takes over on a temporary basis from Chris Silverwood, who was sacked last week following England’s dismal 4-0 defeat in the Ashes.
That chastening experience has brought a slew of changes. Besides Silverwood the batting coach, Graham Thorpe, and England team director, Ashley Giles, also departed – though Joe Root has remained as captain and Collingwood, an assistant coach under the previous regime, will also provide some continuity.
The new broom may now be set to sweep through those on the pitch, with Collingwood pronouncing the series that begins in Antigua on 8 March an opportunity to “reset and rebuild”. England’s selection panel – understood to feature Collingwood, Giles’s temporary replacement, Andrew Strauss, and the head scout, James Taylor, with input expected from Root and his vice-captain, Ben Stokes – will meet on Tuesday with much to discuss.
Ben Foakes, jettisoned after England’s tour of India last year, is likely to get another chance to stake a claim for the wicketkeeper’s gloves given Jos Buttler’s struggles in the red-ball game, while Durham’s left-handed opener Alex Lees could win promotion to the full squad after captaining the Lions in Australia.
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Joe Clarke and Josh Bohannon are vying to come into a batting unit that failed to reach 300 in 10 Ashes innings, while the Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood could make the transition to the Test squad after impressing for England’s white-ball sides and spinner Matt Parkinson is in contention to bolster the bowling ranks.
“I am genuinely excited to be leading the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean. I can’t wait to get started,” Collingwood said. “Having a challenging Test series against the West Indies straight off the back of the Ashes disappointment gives us a chance 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.
“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.”
