Image source, Getty Images
Image caption: Key (left) remained in his position despite the Ashes defeat following the review by Gould (right)
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has labeled the delay in appointing a new national selector as “ridiculous.”
The search for Luke Wright’s successor, who announced his resignation on 22 January and departed after the T20 World Cup concluded in March, has reached its final phase, with interviews conducted this week.
With four rounds of the County Championship already completed, England is set to announce its squad for the first Test against New Zealand in two weeks.
“It’s absurd to announce a selector so late,” Vaughan remarked on the Stick to Cricket podcast. “I wanted the selector in place from 1 April, out there observing and gathering information. Luke Wright stepped down at the end of the Australia tour. We all knew, didn’t we? Four months is a long time to find someone.”
Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, led a review of the men’s national setup after the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia this winter. The review concluded shortly after the T20 World Cup, with managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum retaining their roles. The job advertisement for the selector position was published on 18 March, with applications open until 17 April.
Meanwhile, the ECB’s network of domestic scouts remains active. A new county insight group, featuring a panel of county coaches and ECB officials, was also established following the Ashes review.
Former England bowlers Steven Finn and Darren Gough are among those linked to the selector role. The chosen candidate will be involved in England’s entire player identification structure, including contributing to decisions on the final XI for Tests and white-ball matches, selecting senior and Lions squads, liaising with counties, and leading the scouting team. Approximately 80 candidates applied for the role.
