Root to remain England Test captain as Andrew Strauss now sacks batting coach Graham Thorpe following Silverwood's ouster

SportsTak

England's batting coach Graham Thorpe on Friday (February 4) became third one to bear the brunt of English Ashes cull but returning team director Andrew Strauss threw his full weight behind Joe Root to continue as skipper.

 

Assistant coach Thorpe joins managing director Ashley Giles and coach Chris Silverwood in paying the price for the worst of all Ashes debacles and has been sacked by Strauss on his return to the ECB hierarchy.


Ex-England captain Strauss, who has replaced Giles on a temporary basis, said Root would remain in charge for the red-ball tour of the Caribbean, with the first Test starting on March 8.

 

"It's probably worth saying at this stage that Joe Root will be captaining the side in the West Indies," Strauss said.

 

“Having spoken to him it is absolutely clear the extent of his commitment to moving this England Test team forward. He's got incredible motivation and energy to do that,” Strauss added.

 

"He's bruised, hugely disappointed by what went on in the Ashes and I think it goes without saying there are many others in the same boat on that one, but he has the respect of the players, they all play for him and obviously he sets a magnificent example both on and off the field.

 

"I'm very happy to give him my support and make sure we have the right structure around him to take pressure off him and make sure he can do his job," he further added.

 

Strauss would not commit himself to a long-term return to the game that he left to focus on his family following the tragic death of his wife Ruth. 

 

"This is short-term," Strauss added. "My role is to help prepare the team for the West Indies series and to recommend some structural changes and help Tom Harrison with recruitment of the roles, including the new managing director of England cricket. However long it takes I'm prepared to play that role."


A brief statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Thorpe's exit by saying: "Graham Thorpe has left his position as England men's assistant coach."

 

Strauss said: "I'd like to thank Graham for his work over many years on the England coaching staff and wish him the best for the future."

 

England are due to play three test matches against the West Indies starting from March 8 in North Sound, Antigua. Last month, they lost the Twenty20 series 2-3.