England leadership face uncertain times after the resignation of Ashley Giles

Ashley Giles has stepped down from his role as managing director of England men’s cricket and the future of head coach Chris Silverwood remains uncertain.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Giles’ departure on Wednesday night as they review a disastrous 4-0 Ashes series defeat and a poor sequence of results throughout 2021.

But the ECB has yet to confirm what the future holds for Silverwood and batting coach Graeme Thorpe after England lost nine of their 15 Tests last year and were beaten in the T20 World Cup semi-finals in November.

Chair of the ECB cricket committee and former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss will take over from Giles on a temporary basis and prepare the squad for next month’s three-Test series in the West Indies.

Ashley Giles stands down as Managing Director, England Men’s Cricket

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2022

Giles apologised for England’s dismal showing Down Under after defeat in the decisive third Test in Melbourne, but insisted a mass clear-out at the top was not the answer to deep-lying problems that were to blame for the team’s decline in the red-ball format.

But despite Giles’ warnings, the former Test spinner has departed and the ECB could make further changes.

Giles said: “I’d like to thank everyone for the support they’ve given me, particularly all the staff and the players, as well as the board for giving me this opportunity.

“The past couple of years have been incredibly challenging and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to deliver in the toughest of circumstances. This has undoubtedly protected the future of the game in England and Wales.

“Despite these challenges, over the past three years, we have become 50-over world champions, the top ranked T20I