County champions Essex have confirmed that coach Chris Silverwood is leaving to take up a position as England’s fast-bowling coach.

Silverwood has been Essex head coach since December 2015, and has just led them to back-to-back county titles - first getting promoted from Division two, then claiming an unlikely Division One crown last season.

He will take up his new post with England early next year.

Silverwood said: “I just want to say a massive thank you to Essex and everyone who works at the club. The support I have received from the members, supporters and staff over my two years as Head Coach at the Club has been incredible.

“The way everyone came together to get behind my vision, and the vision of the club is special, and ultimately why I am in the position I am in now.

“From the moment I joined the club I have enjoyed every minute of it. Getting the head coach role and being able to achieve what we have in the last two years, it has been an incredible journey, and one I feel privileged to have been a part of.

“It was a special moment to take a step back and see the smiles on the players faces after we had won the County Championship.

“To see the young lads succeed and show what good cricketers they are is always extremely pleasing but also to see the older squad members’ achieve their dreams is something that will live long in the memory.

“Alongside that, to see what bringing that trophy back to Chelmsford meant to the members and supporters was amazing. It really is a special club, and to be a small part of history and what the Club has achieved is something I feel proud of.”

Essex chairman John Faragher added: “The club congratulates Chris on his appointment as the England fast bowling coach, this is a great honour for him and his family.

“In his time with Essex County Cricket Club, his outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills have been a major factor in taking our cricket to the next level.

“He can look back at his time with us with great pride and satisfaction. Winning the Division Two title last year and then Division One this year was beyond our wildest dreams.

“He has started the next chapter in Essex Cricket’s history and has installed a mentality for winning and continuous improvement into the squad.

“The foundations are now in place for our cricket to continue to grow and we thank Chris for his time, commitment and energy that has helped make Essex the club that it is today.

“We wish him all the very best in his new role, and look forward to him coming back to Chelmsford whenever possible.”

Essex Cricket Chief Executive, Derek Bowden, said: “We never could have imagined the club’s success over the past two years but a large proportion of that has been down to Chris’s efforts on and off the field of play.

“We must also see this as another positive achievement for the Club. Essex are not only consistently producing England cricketers, but also producing England coaches, and this Club is proud to provide our staff with a platform to attain higher honours.”