By Andy Wilson
Chris Silverwood is relishing the unexpected opportunity to work with the England Lions seamers in the crucial early stages of their South Africa tour.
The former Yorkshire, Middlesex and England fast bowler has been on the coaching staff at Essex for five years, stepping up to a new role as assistant head coach in 2014, and has also worked with England Under-19s including in their preparations for last winter’s World Cup.
Now he has been invited by Kevin Shine, the ECB Lead Fast Bowling Coach, to join the Lions staff headed by Mark Robinson for the first two fixtures of the tour – a three-day match against a South African Invitation XI in Soweto starting next Monday, before the first of two four-day matches against South Africa A in Paarl.
“It’s a great honour to be here working with such an exciting group of fast bowlers, and a big opportunity,” said Silverwood.
“I’ve always loved coming to South Africa, going right back to some time I spent playing club cricket early in my Yorkshire career. It’s a great place to play the game.”
Silverwood will return to Essex midway through the month with Ottis Gibson, the former West Indies coach who was recruited to join the fast bowling Performance Programme before Christmas, linking up with the Lions for the remainder of the tour.
The Lions had a light training session at the famous Wanderers ground this afternoon after arriving in Johannesburg early this morning, and will step up their preparations over the weekend.