Dean Etheridge
Next England Coach Cricket Betting Picks; Over the last few days Chris Silverwood has been sacked from his role as Head Coach of the England cricket team.
Within hours, his Australian counterpart, Justin Langer resigned his role, and now Langer is the heavy favorite in the betting to become next England Head Coach.
Yes, there has been plenty happening in the world of cricket in the aftermath of Australia’s 4-0 thrashing of England in the recent Ashes series.
Heads were always going to roll in the England setup after the team wasn’t even remotely competitive in Australia over the Christmas and New Year period.
But you would be forgiven for wondering why there are issues in Australia on the back of winning the T20 World Cup in November 2021, and then following that up by thrashing England in the Ashes.
That’s exactly where we are though!
Changes Were Inevitable after England’s Awful Ashes
Before we look at the betting, let’s have a quick look at how we have arrived at this situation.
England was atrocious in Australia. They were worse than bad, and as a result, someone was going to pay the price. At the moment, it looks like the cull has ended with three victims.
The three are Chris Silverwood (sacked as head coach), Graham Thorpe (sacked as batting coach), and Ashley Giles.
For those not in the know, Ashley Giles was the managing director of England Men’s cricket. He was the guy who gave Chris Silverwood the power to do what he wanted in preparation for the Ashes…. And we know how well that went!
England captain, Joe Root, somehow (in my view) managed to keep his job. I can only presume the lack of an obvious replacement, and a reluctance to make wholesale changes is all that saved Root.
Also remaining in his post is Paul Collingwood, who has been given the job of temporary head coach for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
| Next England Head Coach Betting Odds |  |  |
| Justin Langer | -110 | -110 |
| Gary Kirsten | +225 | +225 |
| Alex Stewart | +300 | +300 |
| Paul Collingwood | +350 | +350 |
Langer Departs Australia after Major Successes
Onto Australia, and ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021 tensions were running high in the camp with a lot of the players unhappy with Head Coach Justin Langer’s methods.
Clear the air talks were held and a new direction was taken, but it always felt like an uneasy truce.
Despite that, Australia won the T20 World Cup last year and then trounced England in the Ashes.
Langer had 6 months remaining on his current deal and was only offered a 6 months extension. An offer that infuriated him.
As a result, Langer quit with immediate effect. He is now the leading contender to be the new England Head Coach.
Just prior to Langer’s resignation, new England supremo, Andrew Strauss – who has just temporarily taken over from Ashley Giles, and will pick the next England Head Coach, sang the praises of Langer.
This, despite Langer still (at the time) being in his post in Australia. Strauss also refused to rule the Aussie out of the running to replace Silverwood.
At that moment, prior to leaving his role as Australia Head Coach, Langer was +800, fourth favorite, to be the next England coach. Since quitting Australia, the best cricket betting sites make Langer just -110.
But is he a good value betting pick?
Langer Looks in Prime Position for Head Coach Role
I don’t normally like odds that short, but I really think in this instance Langer is good value. When you look at the above back story, you can see why he fits the bill for England.
Another possible theory why Langer quit Australia, could be that he had already received the word from intermediaries that the England job was his if he wanted it.
England will pay him the big bucks. Money won’t be an issue.
And with Langer already having shown his willingness to be on the road for the foreseeable future with Australia (an international cricket coach is rarely at home), Strauss and England know he would be in it for the long haul.
Betting Alternatives to Langer
Prior to Justin Langer becoming available, the favorite to be the next England Head Coach was Surrey’s Alex Stewart. Former England batsman Stewart was +200 and is a viable candidate as he would have brought some much-needed discipline back to the England side.
Stewart is now the third favorite at +300 with the best online sportsbooks.
Also in the running and the second favorite is former India and South Africa coach, Gary Kirsten.
Kirsten is +225 for the job and is another man with all the credentials to do the job.
Interim Coach Collingwood is in the Running
The final betting pick I would be considering is Paul Collingwood at +350.
Despite being a part of the disastrous Ashes series, Collingwood remains a highly respected figure in English cricket.
He also seems to have come out of that series undamaged and is now effectively auditioning for the role as the interim Head Coach for the upcoming West Indies series.
Is he merely keeping the seat warm while England and Australia sort out the final 6 months remaining on Langer’s contract? Or is Collingwood a genuine alternative?
If Langer isn’t offered the job, or agreement can’t be reached between cricket boards, I wouldn’t rule Collingwood out if he can show immediate improvements on the tour of the West Indies next month.
Collingwood would be my second betting pick for the job.
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