England head coach Chris Silverwood gets a larger role under the new setup Yorkshire News

News of Smith’s departure comes exactly three years after his appointment and marks a significant consolidation of Silverwood’s responsibilities before a year culminating in a T20 World Cup and Ashes series.

Cricket has often appeared out of character in its deference to selectors who operate independently of those in charge of the team, but England briefly flirted with combining the roles in the mid-1990s under the direction of Ray Illingworth.

The decision to give former Yorkshire Silverwood bowler similarly enhanced powers comes at the urging of men’s cricket director Ashley Giles, who has overhauled much of the ECB’s off-field structures in recent years.

A statement read: “As part of the restructuring of the ECB, the role of national manager, currently held by Ed Smith, who was appointed in spring 2018, will no longer exist, and Smith will leave the ECB at the end of the month.

“This new structure, developed by England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Ashley Giles, will give clear responsibility to England’s men’s head coach, Chris Silverwood, who will have overall responsibility for future team selections from this point on. “.

James Taylor, who previously served as Smith’s understudy, has been retained in the altered lead scout capacity, with performance director Mo Bobat, captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan and the coaching staff all offering input. By removing Smith, the ECB has effectively removed an additional layer of management from the process.

In marking his departure, Smith said: “It has been a great privilege to work with great people trying to help England cricket and I am excited to see the continued development of England.

“At such a high point for England cricket, I wish Ashley Giles, the coaches and all the support staff good luck in the coming months. In particular, I would like to wish Chris Silverwood every success in the future. “

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