Chris Silverwood does not deserve fresh line of attack

NICK HOWSON: The underfire England coach has been subject to vitriol following news he will miss the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney after being forced to isolate following a positive Covid-19 test from a member of his family

"That’s the first positive we’ve had from his coaching this series."

"Couldn't be more grateful for COVID."

"Hopefully the rest of the team have contracted it off him to save us all any more embarrassment."

Death. Taxes. And social media being an utter cesspit. The gloomy inevitables of life as we enter 2022.

Who knows for how much longer Chris Silverwood will be the England men's head coach as he carries the can for another Ashes humiliation.

But he will start the New Year not attempting to celebrate with loved ones or colleagues, but in hotel isolation after being identified as a close contact following a positive Covid-19 case among a member of his own family.

Seven members of the touring party have now returned positive tests and Graham Thorpe will lead the team as coach for the fourth Test in Sydney.

Graham Thorpe will replace Silverwood as head coach for the fourth Test (Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images)

A break from the limelight following the MCG Test could have given Silverwood, singled out by some amid this England capitulation, a chance to refresh ahead of what is still two Ashes Tests. This is likely to be the most intense period of his career.

Instead, he will be frustratingly kept away from the team and forced to remain in isolation for 10 days. It is understood that one of the seven to have so far tested positive is symptomatic.

The last thing he needs, while cut off from human interaction, thousands of miles from home and under intense scrutiny is personal comments relating to his bleak situation. However, the internet has had other ideas.

Dedicate yourself to searching for long enough and you'll find a hot take to fit any agenda. Tabloid websites publishing reaction stories are merely trying to be inflammatory because they never carry anything resembling a majority view. I'd know, I've been ordered to write enough of them while occupying previous positions down the years.

It would not have taken a lengthy look at the comments underneath news articles confirming Silverwood would miss the SCG Test to uncover a nasty and spiteful tone.

It shouldn't need an editorial to highlight that an individual does not deserve vitriol if they're caught up in a Covid-19 outbreak, particularly through no fault of their own. Nonetheless, here we are.

^{England have made sacrifices to tour Australia (Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images)}

The contrast between The Barmy Army offering their unwavering support to the England team and just hours later Silverwood being subject to vile abuse couldn't have been starker.

Forget that Silverwood has not yet tested positive. Overlook that many of those who have are asymptomatic. Ten days starring into four walls of a hotel room isn't some kind of comeuppance. And he'll still help pick the team and be in contact with Thorpe and captain Joe Root, so no one is winning here.

While cricket boards and broadcasters try to keep the show on the road, positive cases and close contacts are collateral damage. Cricket teams across the world are putting themselves in uncomfortable positions to satisfy others. They deserve plenty of slack.

In this context, Chris Silverwood is a human being first and foremost. His role as England men's coach and selector comes some way down in the order of responsibilities. He deserves our goodwill and kindness, rather than spiteful, negative bile.

It is possible to constructively criticise England for an abject display this winter, question whether Silverwood is the right person to take the team forward, and also recognise the human element of this episode. Some have found this more difficult than others.

Silverwood deserves support at a challenging time rather than abuse for something out of his control. Ignoring Tim Paine's unhelpful comments before the series, touring Australia was always going to include sacrifices. But no one deserves this.

It's sad that it even needs uttering.

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