Rob Key’s in-tray as new managing director of England men’s cricket

Rob Key has been named managing director of England men’s cricket – the first appointment of a new era for the England and Wales Cricket Board.
England cricket was operating under a power vacuum, with no managing director, head coach, batting coach or Test captain, following the resignation of Joe Root on Friday.
Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood and Graham Thorpe had all lost their jobs in three consecutive days in February as a response to England’s dismal winter of defeats in Australia and the West Indies.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at Key’s in-tray.
Sort out coach/selector roles

In his role as a commentator and pundit, Key has expressed his belief that the coaching roles should be split, with separate white-ball and red-ball coaches. Going down this route would be a break from the norm and could also have an impact on selection. He will have to decide whether to bring back the position of national selector and, if he does, must then make the right appointment.
Sound out Ben Stokes
One of Key’s first challenges will be to appoint a successor to Root, and as Stuart Broad pointed out in his Mail on Sunday column, Stokes is the only other name guaranteed to be named in the Test team. Key will have to meet with Stokes to find out if the all-rounder, who has recently taken a break from cricket for his mental and physical health, would want to and be able to add to his already heavy workload as a multi-format player.
Decide on IPL availability policy
Good luck to all of our players at the IPL! pic.twitter.com/oOxJ7la4PA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 10, 2021
The growth of world cricket and the increasing fortunes available in the shortest format have led to those involved playing almost year-round without a break. With a number of England players, such as Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, undergoing treatment for serious injuries, Key will have to decide whether multi-format players should be allowed to compete in the Indian Premier League, missing the start of the county championship season and an important time to recharge following what is usually a packed winter schedule.
Meet with James Anderson and Stuart Broad

England’s most prolific strike-bowling duo have been left in the cold after being controversially omitted for the winter series against the West Indies. A toothless England attack subsequently toiled in the Caribbean, leading to calls for their returns, especially in favourable home conditions.
Streamline England’s schedule
It’s defeat in Grenada.
Congratulations to @WindiesCricket who win the match and the series.
🏝 #WIvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/mYtEuDY26R
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 27, 2022
England have played more matches than any other international side since the start of the coronavirus pandemic – a period which has coincided with their slip down the Test rankings. Key has been tasked with arresting the decline. Streamlining the schedule seems likely, with separate white and red-ball teams a possibility in a bid to limit player workload.
Latest
-
News
James Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
News
Andrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
News
Tributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
News
Cricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
News
Joe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.
-
News
Surrey rewrite record books while Lancashire and Northamptonshire take control
Surrey equalled the first-class record for the number of players making half-centuries without passing three figures.
-
News
Brendon McCullum took England job for challenge of improving ‘rock bottom’ team
The ex-New Zealand skipper should, pending visa approvals, arrive in the UK in time to lead a three-Test series against his home country next month.
-
News
Keaton Jennings shines as Lancashire dominate Roses rivals Yorkshire
Jennings, Ben Stokes and Haseeb Hameed were all in excellent form with the bat in their respective matches.