Paul Farbrace to leave role as England assistant coach

Farbrace’s decision to leave is a blow for England, so close to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 and the subsequent Ashes.

The 51-year-old joined the England set-up in 2014, after helping Sri Lanka to their maiden World T20 title, and has overseen England’s revamp in white-ball cricket along with Trevor Bayliss, the head coach, following a disappointing campaign in the 2015 World Cup.

England are now ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings, and are one of the favourites for the upcoming World Cup. However, Farbrace will not be around to help England’s title pursuit.

“I have had five fantastic years with England Cricket,” he said in a statement. “It has been a brilliant experience working with world-class coaches, players and support staff. I have been fortunate to taste some genuine success and be part of the development of some excellent players, who have the world at their feet this summer.

"There is never a great time to leave an international set-up and despite what will be a fantastic summer for English cricket, the opportunity to shape the future of one of the game's biggest counties was too much to resist. It would have been tough for me to have turned down the opportunity once Warwickshire showed an interest in me.

“I would like to thank the ECB, and in particular, Trevor Bayliss, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ashley Giles for their support in what has been a difficult decision to make. I wish them every success this summer. I believe they have the right attributes to create history by lifting the World Cup in July and winning The Ashes that follows it.”

Ashley Giles, ECB’s managing director for men’s cricket, said Farbrace was a key figure in England’s white-ball revolution. “I would like to thank Paul for all his efforts over the last five years as a key figure in England's success across the red and white ball formats,” he said.

"Paul was integral, alongside, Andrew Strauss, Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan, in transforming our white ball strategy, which has seen us become the best team in the world leading into a World Cup year. His efforts in developing players in the elite environment will benefit him in his new role at Edgbaston.”

England will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Oval on 30 May. The Ashes will begin shortly after the conclusion of the tournament, on 1 August.