Giles plays down talk of an England future

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles has played down talk of him becoming the next England coach. Giles was already being talked about as a possible successor to England team director Andy Flower before Warwickshire won the LV= County Championship last week.

His stock will rise further if Warwickshire can complete a trophy double by beating Hampshire in tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank 40 final at Lord’s.

Giles has already stated his ambition to coach at international level in the future but he insists that his immediate focus is on Warwickshire.

“One day great, I keep saying that. It’s very flattering to be talked about in that way. One day I would love to but you have to keep your eye on the ball otherwise you slip up,” Giles said. “I hope these guys think I work pretty hard day-to-day. We are always trying to push forward.”

Giles is about to complete his fifth season in charge of Warwickshire and captain Jim Troughton is impressed with the way that the former England left-arm spinner has transformed the county’s fortunes.

“In 2008 we were out of the first division in both competitions, we had lost senior players, direction and confidence," said Troughton.

“Ash came in, he was new to the role and he pretty much pulled us up by the scruff our necks. He was very autocratic in those first couple of years which is what we needed because we didn’t have those senior players who could lift the team.

“We needed to be brought into line and be told what was expected of us. The team from then to now has changed a lot but the ethos, the spirit, the tenacity and professionalism has grown every year and with every year Ash has been able to sit back and see the fruits of his hard work and our hard work.”


Date: 14/09/2012 12:02:09 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today | England |