Chris Silverwood

Christopher Eric Wilfred Silverwood (born 5 March 1975) is an English former international cricketer and coach. He is a former head coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team and previously the England Cricket Team.

Early life and domestic playing career Born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, Silverwood was educated at Garforth Comprehensive School, and as a right-arm fast bowler, made his debut for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1993. He played for his native county for thirteen years,

In 2009 he signed a contract with Harare-based franchise Mashonaland Eagles as player-coach, making his debut against Matabeleland Tuskers.

By the end of his career, the six-foot one inch paceman had taken 577 first-class wickets in 184 matches at an average of 27.41, with a best of 7 for 93 and 259 List A one day wickets at 25.05 with a best of 5 for 28. Silverwood followed this with his Test debut in the first Test, a match which England drew with the scores level at the end of the match. He took four wickets, but was not selected for the second Test, though he did play in the remaining ODIs against Zimbabwe as well as the final two ODIs of the New Zealand leg of the trip. In May 1997, Silverwood made his only home international appearance when he played the third ODI against Australia.

His next international appearances did not come until 1999, when he played four Tests of the 1999–2000 tour of South Africa. Silverwood struggled, with the ball not moving, and was promoted to the head coach position ahead of the 2016 season. His first year in the role saw Essex promoted to the First Division of the County Championship, followed by them winning the competition in 2017.

England Silverwood with Jimmy Anderson before the third Ashes Test at Headingley. Silverwood joined the England coaching team as full-time fast bowling coach in January 2018. He was announced as the new head coach on 7 October 2019, following the departure of Trevor Bayliss at the end of the 2019 season. England won their first four series under Silverwood, defeating South Africa and Sri Lanka on tour and West Indies and Pakistan at home.

England's fortune's in Test cricket changed thereafter, however, beginning with a 3-1 defeat in India. Despite this reverse, Silverwood was appointed head of selectors in April 2021, absorbing the national selector role.

Defeat on the subcontinent was followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to New Zealand and defeat in 2 out of 3 tests against India in a series interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2021–22 Ashes series Silverwood was criticised for poor decisions – most notably batting first and omitting both James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the First Test, and not selecting Jack Leach in the Second Test. It was announced on 3 February 2022, that he would be leaving the role, following a 4–0 Ashes series defeat. Having won 8 of his first 9 Tests, Silverwood lost 10 and won just 1 of his last 14.

Sri Lanka In April 2022, he was appointed as head coach for Sri Lanka national cricket team for 2 years.

Silverwood resigned from his position on 27 June 2024.

Return to Essex Silverwood rejoined Essex as director of cricket in November 2024.