ECB appoints Rob Key as managing director to transform crisis-hit England

Rob Key, who
played 21 matches for England, has been appointed the new managing director of
the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday.

Also Read: Why did Joe Root quit England Test captaincy? Read his full statement

Rob’s
appointment came after a series of resignations in the England dressing room.
Test captain Joe Root resigned last week following a disastrous 12 months of
Test cricket including a dismal 4-0 defeat in the Ashes. In the last 17 Tests
under Root, England won only one. In the Caribbean, West Indies handed Root’s
side a 1-0 defeat in March.

Earlier, head
coach Chris Silverwood, batting coach Graham Thorpe and former managing
director of England men´s cricket Ashley Giles lost their jobs in February
after England lost the Ashes.

Also Read: ‘Not in possession of England shirt’: Stuart Broad on question of Test captaincy

Rob Key was a
surprise contender for ECB’s managing director’s role. His name was only
revealed after the England cricket board released an advertisement on its
website. The newly appointed managing director worked as a commentator since
his retirement from county cricket with Kent in 2015, and he will give up his
current broadcasting role to take the role.

Also Read: 5 players who could replace Joe Root as England Test captain

“It is an
absolute honour to take up this role. The chance to have an impact and make a
difference is an opportunity given to very few and I will give it everything I
have to try shape the next great era of English men´s cricket,” Key said.

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“Although
at this current moment it has been a challenging time in English cricket, I
also think it´s as exciting a time as I can remember.

“With two
of our teams near or at the top of the world rankings and an undoubted amount
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 new heights across all
formats.”

Also Read: Root steps down: Look at record of England’s most successful Test captain

Rob will have a
huge task in hand in the coming months. Before England’s next home series in
June against New Zealand, he will have to find out the new captain, with
vice-captain Ben Stokes deemed the favourite for the role.

Rob, who scored
a Test double century against the West Indies at the Lord’s in 2004, will also
be responsible for the strategy and performance of the England men´s cricket
team.