Key is backed to succeed in bid to ‘shape next era of English cricket’
Rob Key has been backed to succeed in his new role as the managing director of England men’s cricket after being confirmed as the first appointment of what he hopes will be the ‘next great era’ of the game.
Former batter Key was appointed amid a power vacuum at the England and Wales CricketBoardaftertheresignationofTestcaptainJoeRooton Friday, with head coach Chris Silverwood,battingcoachGraham Thorpe and former managing director Ashley Giles losingtheirjobsoverthreesuccessive days in February.
A surprise contender for the role, having primarily worked as a commentator and pundit since his retirement from county cricket with Kent in 2015, Key faces a massive tasktakingchargefollowing12 disappointing months of redballcricket,includingadismal 4-0 defeat in the Ashes.
“It is an absolute honour to takeupthisrole.Thechanceto have an impact and make a differenceisanopportunitygiven to very few and I will give it everything I have to try and shape the next great era of English men’s cricket,” Key said.
“Although at this current momentithasbeenachallengingtimeinEnglishcricket,Ialsothinkit’sasexcitingatimeas I can remember.
“Withtwoofourteamsnear or at the top of the world rankingsandanundoubtedamount of talent in our game, I hope to try and bring everyone along for the ride so we can all help take English men’s cricket to
newheightsacrossallformats.”
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, who has worked alongside Key as a pundit, is backing his former colleague to succeed. “Firstly I’mverypleasedforRob,Ithink theECBhavemadeanexcellent choice there. Even though at times he plays the fool, he is no fool,” Hussain said.
“At times he’s said things either on air or at the back of the
boxandyoujustthink,‘Thislad knows his cricket’. He’s absolutely a cricket man from top tobottom.He’splayedforKent, he’scaptainedKentandhe’sobviouslyplayedforEnglandand he’s been a broadcaster for six years. I think England have made a good choice, he is an excellent cricket man and he’s got a very good cricket brain.”
Key will also be responsible forthestrategybehindtheEngland
men’s cricket teams and performance pathways, and will play a part in an upcoming high-performance review.
As a player, Key played 15 Tests for England between 2002 and 2005, as well as five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international, including a Test double century against the West Indies at Lord’s in 2004.
Michael Atherton, another
former England captain, warned Key will have a “lot on his plate”.
“His instincts on cricket are very sound, he’s got good cricket knowledge,” Atherton told Sky Sports.
“What he doesn’t have is managerial experience which he will obviously have to get up to speed on in the new job.
“There are a lot of appointments to be filled. He’ll need a new England captain, a new England coach and probably a newEnglandselectorsothere’s a lot on his plate.”
OneofKey’sfirstchallenges will be to appoint a successor toRoot,withBenStokesthefavouritetotaketheroleasoneof the few players guaranteed to beintheTestteam.Long-serving seam bowler Stuart Broad has appeared to distance himself from the captaincy.