Essex have named Chris Silverwood as the club’s new head coach

Silverwood led the team to third place in Division Two of the County Championship last season, having taken over the reins at the end of August from Paul Grayson.

Former Yorkshire, Essex, Middlesex and England bowler Silverwood, who is hugely credited for former Essex paceman Reece Topley’s rapid progression to the national limited overs team, has been appointed after a stringent application process, with over 15 high quality people applying for the role.

Chief Executive Derek Bowden, treasurer David Acfield, former England captains Keith Fletcher and Graham Gooch, Cricket Committee chairman Ronnie Irani and recruitment specialist Wasim Haq formed the selection committee.

Silverwood said: “I am absolutely over the moon. I made my intentions clear at the end of the summer, and I am delighted to get the opportunity to do the job.

“I passionately want to see Essex be successful. There were some big names on the panel, and to know I’ve got the support of those guys is immense. There was so much knowledge sat around that table, and to have them pick me out is fantastic.”

“We are determined to move the club forward, and move on from last season.

“This is a fresh start, and that is shown with the changes we have already made to our pre-season programme.

“We need to change how we have done things previously, and I am already making those changes. It is a great opportunity.”