New Giles Role ‘More Suit Than Tracksuit'

NEVER go back is an old adage, but Ashley Giles couldn’t resist the temptation of a return to Edgbaston in a revolutionary new role.

- Paul Eddison

The best-kept secret in county cricket was finally revealed this week as Giles was named Warwickshire’s new sport director, filling the void left by Dougie Brown at the end of the season.

With his family still based down the road in Droitwich and after a 13-year playing career and five years as director of cricket from 2007 to 2012 with the county, it seemed inevitable that Giles would return at some point.

Now Warwickshire and Lancashire have agreed on compensation, Giles will take up his position next week and will work again with Jim Troughton, skipper during his first spell in charge at Edgbaston and now the first team coach.

However, the onus is on Giles to live up to Warwickshire chief executive Neil Snowball’s expectations in what he sees as a groundbreaking new role.

Snowball said: “We’ve been having a good look over the last couple of months and speaking to a number of potential candidates. Ashley’s arrival gives us the structure we wanted to put in place.

“For us it was a case of looking more long-term. Some counties have a director of cricket, others go with first-team coaches, but we’re really excited about having Ashley as sport director, working alongside Jim Troughton again.

“Some might ask why ‘sport director’ when we only have cricket, but there are lots of different types with the women’s side and elite performance.