Former England and Kent batter Rob Key has confirmed he is in the race for contention to become England men’s new full-time managing director. The 42-year-old informed of his interest in taking up the wholesome job following the ouster of Ashley Giles in the aftermath of England’s heavy Ashes drubbing Down Under this winter.
However, Key added that the “lifestyle” of such a high-profile gig and its pros and cons are something he is still verifying and would want proper details of what he is getting into before going ahead.
His left-field entry into the race to bag the director’s role has come to light following his conversation on-air with former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan, who enquired about his interest in the gig during Day 4 of the third Test in Lahore between the hosts and Australia.
“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.”
he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
While Key joked about the lifestyle issue and playing golf, he is one of those individuals who were most vocal about the need for changes in England’s playing and coaching structure after another Ashes defeat in Australia laid bare the longstanding flaws in the English domestic game and would love to make a difference himself.
The cricketer turned commentator has never been detached from the game even in his post-playing days. Key last played for England in 2009 but remained a county regular till his retirement in 2015 for Kent. He soon took up broadcasting duties with Sky Sports.
The post of England’s new managing director is currently held on an interim basis by Giles’ predecessor Andrew Strauss, who had to relinquish his position after the death of his wife Ruth in 2018. Strauss is unlikely to put forward his interest for a full-time appointment with the ECB.
England are hoping to fill the new director’s role as well as have a new full-time head coach in place before the start of the home international summer in early June.
