Posted by England’s test team after losing the Ashes in Australia were regularly making it to the headlines for a need to reset. Ashes defeat was enough for Chris Silverwood (head coach and selector), Graham Thorpe (assistant coach) and Ashley Giles (managing director) to step down from their respective roles. England then toured West Indies with a few new faces hoping better results, but had nothing change in their favor and the series defeat v West Indies saw England have their last blow with Joe Root deciding to call time on him captaining the test side.
Mid last month ECB appointment Rob Key as the managing director, a nail that the ECB have hit the bulls eye with. Anyone who’s heard Rob Key on Sky Sports or on any other broadcast know the bold brain of cricket he’s got, his passion for English cricket and especially County Cricket is something that always makes him stand apart from the rest.
This is what Rob Key had to tell, “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.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Sky and I could never have imagined leaving were it not for this incredible opportunity. I’d like to personally thank Bryan Henderson and everyone in the team for their help and support.
“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.”
Key on Sky Sports vodcast was always rooting for a change in test captaincy and to get in Ben Stokes, immediately after he took control he got Ben Stokes in the role. Ben Stokes, the skipper is a very exciting call that’s been made, Stokes is a very respected man in that English dressing room and even world cricket. The little Stokes has lead England they’ve always looked different and a switched on unit. It’s another big tick by Roy Key and the ECB.
“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer.
“I want to thank Joe (Root) for everything he has done for English Cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.” That was what Ben Stokes had to say following his appointment as England’s test skipper late last month.
Chris Silverwood stepped down from the role of England’s head coach following teams defeat in Australia saw Paul Collingwood take incharge as interim head coach, it was highly speculated that Collingwood was likely to continue and get the role full-time, but there’s a surprise with Brendon McCullum being appointment for the role.
On his appointment as head coach, this is what Brendon McCullum had to say,”I’d like to say how pleased I am to be given this opportunity to positively contribute to England’s Test cricket set-up and move the team forward into a more successful era.
“In taking this role on, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces at present, and I strongly believe in my ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force once we’ve confronted them head-on.
“I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious. I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”
Both newly appointed, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are Kiwi born who’ll have their first assignment v New Zealand on 2nd of June at Lord’s as England are set to kickstart their 2022 summer of international cricket playing 3 test matches as Indian assignment waits just after.
Bureau of sports 