New Essex coach Chris Silverwood tells his players to dream big

Silverwood, 40, saw off a number of impressive candidates to secure the job, which included former Australia coach Mickey Arthur, as well as Andy Moles, Stuart Law and Paul Nixon.

Silverwood was unanimously chosen to succeed Paul Grayson by the committee, which included chief executive Derek Bowden, former England captains Keith Fletcher and Graham Gooch, and chairman Ronnie Irani.

Silverwood, who was appointed as bowling coach in 2010, led the county for the final four games of last season, winning two and drawing two, and he says he can’t wait to get started as he targets success in all formats of the game.

“I have been given a great opportunity,” he said. “I made my intentions clear from the start and said I would be applying for the position so to come through the process and get the job is a great feeling.

“It was a rigorous process and it wasn’t easy but I think one of the main things the committee took notice of was my enthusiasm for the club. I was up against some big guns, against guys I had grown up watching when I was a lad so to get the position feels great.

“Getting the support from the committee was important, and I know they are just the other end of the phone if I need their help, but the players need to trust me and they have since day one.

“I want to challenge them and I want them to dream as well. I want them to chase their dreams with me at Essex.

“I implemented some little changes at the end of last season and I started to see the effect they were having in that short space of time.”

One of those changes was the introduction of a psychologist. Silverwood says the players’ mind set is important ahead of the new season, and he wants his players to be able to handle high-pressure situations as Essex gun for success on all fronts.

And the former England seamer, who has recently spent time coaching the England Lions, says strengthening the squad, while also bringing through young talent, is also a priority.

“You can work on the on-field side of things in terms of tactics but beneficial thinking and dealing with the other side of the game is also important,” he said.

“We will be in situations this year when we need a calm head and be clinical in important moments in matches and I believe this will help.”

“We have a good one-day side but we have just struggled to get over the line in recent years and I saw signs of improvement in the County Championship last year as well. There were attritional bowling performances and clinical batting performances.

“We have lost Reece Topley and I want to bring someone in,” he added. “I want that winning mentality across the team and I am confident we can achieve that in all formats of the game.

“Winning is my only objective.”