Paul Collingwood named interim coach for the upcoming Test tour of West Indies

Former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has been appointed interim coach of the Joe Root-led Test team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, scheduled for March-April, 2022.

The former skipper will fill in for ex-head coach Chris Silverwood, who was recently axed by the interim managing director Andrew Strauss in the wake of the Ashes debacle in Australia.

Collingwood was a part of Silverwood's coaching team and recently led England's T20I during a five-match series in the Caribbean.

The former middle-order batsman is eagerly looking forward to the Test assignment in the West Indies. Following the announcement on Monday through a press release, he said, "I am genuinely excited to be leading the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean. I can't wait to get started." 

He reckons that the Test series in the West Indies is a great chance for England to rebuild for the future following a difficult 2021/22, which saw Root's team lose series in India (1-3), home rubbers to New Zealand (0-1) and India (1-2*) and a 0-4 drubbing in Australia.

"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,'' the former Ashes winner added.

"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," Collingwood stated.

The former T20 World Cup-winning captain signed off by stating that he recently spoke to skipper Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes and both have committed to taking the Test team forward. 

"I have spoken to Joe Root and Ben Stokes, and both are excited and passionate to take the team forward in this new cycle," added the ex-England international.

"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 signed off.

England will play a four-day practice game in Antigua between March 1-5, 2022. The Test series will kick-start at the same venue in Antigua from March 8, 2022, and Root's men will hope to avenge the 1-2 defeat they suffered during their previous trip in 2019.