CHRIS SILVERWOOD’S hopes of clinging on to his job are fading as England players lose faith in his coaching methods.
Silverwood is in the firing line after England’s feeble surrender in the Ashes series.
He has been criticised for bad planning and selection with several pundits insisting he is out of his depth on the international stage.
Now senior players increasingly reckon he is not the man to turn round England’s fortunes.
Sources say Silverwood cannot inspire the players, is too soft, has overseen a catalogue of errors and has lost the dressing room.
Silverwood, previously bowling coach, succeeded Trevor Bayliss as head coach in November 2019 and was promoted to chief selector earlier this year.
The players would be happy for Joe Root to continue after this tour – although he might quit – but believe a new coach is required, perhaps even as soon as the three-Test tour to West Indies in March.
Experienced all-rounder Chris Woakes was happy to support Root publicly but sounded less sure about Silverwood.
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Woakes said: “Joe is a world-class player who’s had a fantastic year but we haven’t been able to bat well around him.
“It’s clear the captaincy isn’t having an effect on his batting, which can be the case with a lot of captains.
“Joe is a great cricketer, he’s got a great cricket brain. I think his record as England captain is pretty good. I definitely feel like Joe will continue.”
When asked if the same applied to Silverwood, Woakes replied: “Who am I to talk about people’s futures other than my own?
“We have two really important games and want to show a lot of character, a lot of fight. We want to put some pride back into wearing that badge.”
Woakes added: “We are trying extremely hard to put things right. But it’s called Test cricket for a reason.
“It’s difficult, especially when a team gets on top. That’s when you have to show some character and fight.
“It’s not like a Premier League game where you’re playing a new opposition the next weekend.
“Here, you’re playing the same people who’ve got you out or scored runs against you.
“They have a game plan that is clearly working. We have to find a way around that.”
Former England opener Nick Compton took to Twitter to hit out at the ECB’s recruitment process.
He wrote: “Gary Kirsten was offered the England job but was usurped by Silverwood in the final hour because of a better PowerPoint presentation.
“It was a set-up to appease [Ashley] Giles who didn’t want to be challenged.
“Since then he’s employed his mates to take on significant roles. Change is needed.”
