England head coach – Paul Collingwood appointed stand-in for West Indies Test series
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Promoted assistant eyes chance to “reset and rebuild” with squad to be named on Tuesday
He has stayed in Barbados on holiday and will join up with the Test squad when they arrive in Antigua on February 25. England are due to play a four-day warm-up match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground – their first trip back since the infamous Stanford 20/20 for $20 million in 2008 – on March 1 ahead of the first Test at North Sound on March 8.
“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.
“I have spoken to Joe Root and Ben Stokes, and both are excited and passionate to take the team forward in this new cycle. Although they know it won’t be easy, they have the desire and bravery to do things differently to ensure the team can prosper. We have an opportunity to get back on track.”
Collingwood could be a contender for the vacancy as England’s head coach on a full-time basis. His lack of experience in a similar position at county or franchise level counts against him – not least after the gamble to promote Silverwood from within backfired – but he will be a strong candidate as white-ball coach if the roles are split, as Strauss suggested last week.
February 7, 2022, 1330 GMT – This story was updated to add details of England’s interim selection panel
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
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