Silverwood played six Tests for England between 1996 and 2002

Essex bowling coach Chris Silverwood says he is looking for all his attack to aim at the 50-wicket mark in the County Championship this summer.

"Bowlers should be looking at 50 wickets in a season," the newly-appointed Silverwood told BBC Essex.

"If you get three or four people doing that, you're not going to be far off."

The ex-Middlesex, Yorkshire and England fast bowler started the job this week after returning from Zimbabwe where he had been coaching Mashonaland Eagles.

Silverwood, who completed his injury-ravaged, 16-year county career with Middlesex last September, made a couple of appearances for Mashonaland in his time there.

But the six-times-capped former England quickie has now hung up his spikes.

"You can't carry on playing for ever," he said. "But to stay in cricket and carry on doing something you love, even if it's in a different department, the challenges are there and I'm looking forward to it."

Essex, who are preparing for a return to the top flight of the County Championship for the first time in six years, begin with a match against ambitious Hampshire on 9 April.

But Silverwood does not think that Essex are there to make up the numbers in Division One.

"It's going to be tough," he said. "But we've got everything here we need to compete in the first division.

"Its a good set-up here. There's a feel good factor about this place.

"They're a very talented bunch so I'm very excited to work with them.

"And, if we perform like I know these guys can, then there's no reason why we can't compete."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version