Cricket: Collingwood named England interim head coach

England have appointed Paul Collingwood as interim head coach for March’s three-Test tour of the West Indies.

The appointment comes after former head coach Chris Silverwood and managing director Ashley Giles were both sacked last week, following England’s 4-0 Ashes defeat to Australia.

Former England all-rounder Collingwood was assistant coach under Silverwood and took charge of last month’s 3-2 T20 series defeat in the West Indies.

I am genuinely excited to be leading the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean,” Collingwood said. “I can’t wait to get started.

“Having a challenging Test series against the West Indies straight off the back of the Ashes disappointment gives us a chance from now to reset and rebuild.

“Playing Test matches for England is the highest accolade in the game. My objective is to give players clarity, direction and encouragement for them to start building something special.”

Collingwood’s appointment follows Sir Andrew Strauss taking up the position of interim managing director, with a reset of England’s red-ball cricket set-up demanded after just one win in their last 14 Test matches.

Strauss confirmed last week Joe Root would remain as Test captain, while England’s squad for the West Indies tour, which gets under way on March 1, is set to be named on Tuesday,