Alec Stewart tipped to replace Chris Silverwood as England coach by Mark Ramprakash

Mark Ramprakash believes Alec Stewart would be "an excellent candidate" to take over as England head coach, following Chris Silverwood 's departure from the role.

Silverwood was axed by the ECB on Thursday following his side's 4-0 thrashing in the Ashes Down Under and his replacement will be named in due course, with a caretaker coach set to take charge of England's three-Test series against the West Indies next month.

Several potential replacements have been mooted for the role, including Gary Kirsten, Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

However, Ramprakash believes Stewart, who currently works as Surrey's director of cricket, would be a "very strong candidate".

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ramprakash said: "I would have thought Alec Stewart must come into the frame. He is incredibly patriotic, so experienced and an excellent man-manager.

"Again, I would have thought he has the stature that when he thinks about a strategy and a vision for English cricket, people will sit up and listen.

"Alec Stewart has an excellent knowledge of county cricket, an excellent knowledge of the workings of county cricket and dealing with committees and boards.

"He is also an excellent man-manager. If he walks into a dressing room, be it a Test match or one-day game, all the players will listen to him. He commands the respect of all the players.

"I think he is an excellent candidate, I am not saying he will get the job, but I think someone with his credentials is a very strong candidate."

Ramprakash was also critical of Silverwood for some of his decision making, adding: "There was an inevitability about it, pure and simple - because, and not just because of the Ashes trip, but during the English summer with the series loss against New