‘Next 12 months could transform game’ – Giles confirmed as Strauss replacement
Ashley Giles, the former England left-arm spinner, has been confirmed as the ECB’s new managing director of cricket.
Giles replaces Andrew Strauss, who resigned from the role earlier this year in order to spend more time with his family after his wife Ruth’s cancer diagnosis. He is due to officially start the role in the new year ahead of England’s tour to the Caribbean.
This is not the first role Giles has had with the ECB. He endured a relatively unsuccessful spell as England’s ODI and T20I coach from November 2012 to April 2014.
Giles leaves Warwickshire to take his new role with the ECB
His new job is a complete different role, however. In a press release, the ECB stated: “Giles will be responsible for the long-term strategy of the England men’s cricket teams and the performance pathways leading into the international teams. He will also be responsible for developing the right coaching and management structure to support it.”
Giles enjoyed great success in similar roles at Warwickshire and Lancashire. He guided Warwickshire to a County Championship title in 2012 before overseeing Lancashire’s inaugural Vitality Blast triumph in 2015, as well as their promotion to Division One of the County Championship. He returned to his beloved Warwickshire in 2017.
Giles was part of England’s 2005 Ashes winning team
Commenting on the appointment of Giles, Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were fortunate throughout this process to interview some of the most talented and respected people in the game.
“Ashley was the standout candidate amongst a very strong field. He will bring a fresh perspective to the role and build on the excellent work carried out by Andrew Strauss over the past three and a half years.
“He has a tremendous passion for England cricket, extensive knowledge of our county game, and a wealth of experience from playing at the highest level to becoming a respected leader in the sport.
“He will lead the England men’s teams forward in what is a pivotal year with an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the Specsavers Ashes Series, both on home soil. This is a key appointment and we are excited about Ashley’s arrival.”
Giles, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his delight in securing his new job. He said: “I am delighted to be joining the ECB and shaping the future of England cricket throughout the men’s game.
Giles endured a tough spell as England’s ODI and T20I coach
“I am very grateful for the opportunity and excited about working with some talented people. The legacy left by Andrew Strauss has put the performance programme in a stable place.
It is fundamental that I facilitate the great work currently being carried out, meet our objectives and help our sport achieve great things in the coming years both domestically and internationally.
“I believe it is important for the game to have a strong international setup, which is showing great promise in what will be a significant year for our red and white-ball teams leading into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup this summer and The Ashes.
The next 12 months could transform the game like no other time in recent memory.”
“Finally, I would like thank Warwickshire County Cricket Club and in particular Chairman, Norman Gascoigne, and Chief Executive, Neil Snowball, for their guidance and support during my time at Edgbaston.”
Giles leaves his job as Warwickshire’s Sporting Director to take the ECB role. Warwickshire’s Chief Executive, Neil Snowball, thanked Giles for his service in his second managerial stint at the county in which he helped Warwickshire win promotion last season.
Snowball said: “Obviously we are disappointed to lose Ashley at this time as he has done a great job for us over the last two years and, together, we have developed some exciting plans for the future.”
