England managing director of men's cricket role is currently vacant with Ashley Giles having left the ECB in the wake of the Ashes thrashing; Sir Andrew Strauss is in the position on an interim basis; Rob Key has been part of Sky Sports Cricket's punditry team since retiring in 2015
Friday 25 March 2022 08:26, UK
Sky Sports pundit Rob Key has confirmed his interest in the vacant role of England managing director of men's cricket.
Ashley Giles left the position in the wake of England's 4-0 Ashes thrashing with Sir Andrew Strauss currently in the job on an interim basis.
The Evening Standard is reporting that Key, who played 15 Tests, five ODIs and one T20 international for England between 2002 and 2009, is on a list of shortlisted interviewees, which includes former England national selector Ed Smith and Durham director of cricket Marcus North.
Speaking about the England role while commentating on the third Test between Pakistan and Australia, former Kent captain Key said coyly: "There's a lot of speculation around, there's a lot of jobs up for grabs in English cricket.
"A fair few people have been asked, a fair few people are going for these jobs. The thing I have is that you have to weigh up how much golf you can get in doing some of these. For me, the lifestyle thing is the big issue."
Strauss said last week that England are racing a "ticking clock" as they look to find the right people to lead the Test side going forward.
In addition to a director of cricket, England are also looking for new permanent head coach with Chris Silverwood sacked following the heavy Ashes defeat.
Strauss said: "We are making progress with it and we're obviously very conscious there's a ticking clock, both in terms of appointing a director of cricket and then of course the coach - or potentially coaches - on the back of that.
"The ambition is certainly to have the Test coach in place by that first Test of the summer (against New Zealand in June).
"In recruitment there are all sorts of moving pieces, including notice periods and I don't think we can categorically say that, but it's the ambition."
