Rob Key's Position at England Cricket Looks Increasingly Precarious as Pressure Mounts
The position of Rob Key as managing director of England men's cricket looks increasingly precarious as pressure mounts following a difficult run of results and growing questions about the direction of the team above and below the players themselves.
Key, who enjoyed genuine popularity as a county cricket cult hero during his playing days โ a larger-than-life character famous for self-deprecating humour, a double century at Lord's and a well-publicised love of biscuits โ entered the managing director role with considerable goodwill but has overseen a period of mixed fortunes.
England have won only two of their last ten Tests, a run that has raised questions about central contract management and the handling of players dropped or overlooked during the current cycle.
Key has been largely absent from the media spotlight during the current New Zealand series, while newly appointed national selector Marcus North โ who arrived from Durham โ has been visible and apparently well-regarded, joining team huddles and speaking warmly of head coach Brendon McCullum.
McCullum and captain Ben Stokes remain well-supported within the squad and publicly endorsed by North.
Stokes, who was unavailable for the second Test, was given a standing ovation on his return at Trent Bridge.
The original appointment of McCullum and Stokes transformed English Test cricket and created the popular Bazball philosophy.
Should England lose this series, however, the consequences for those in positions of authority above the players โ particularly Key โ could be significant.
Key, who enjoyed genuine popularity as a county cricket cult hero during his playing days โ a larger-than-life character famous for self-deprecating humour, a double century at Lord's and a well-publicised love of biscuits โ entered the managing director role with considerable goodwill but has overseen a period of mixed fortunes.
England have won only two of their last ten Tests, a run that has raised questions about central contract management and the handling of players dropped or overlooked during the current cycle.
Key has been largely absent from the media spotlight during the current New Zealand series, while newly appointed national selector Marcus North โ who arrived from Durham โ has been visible and apparently well-regarded, joining team huddles and speaking warmly of head coach Brendon McCullum.
McCullum and captain Ben Stokes remain well-supported within the squad and publicly endorsed by North.
Stokes, who was unavailable for the second Test, was given a standing ovation on his return at Trent Bridge.
The original appointment of McCullum and Stokes transformed English Test cricket and created the popular Bazball philosophy.
Should England lose this series, however, the consequences for those in positions of authority above the players โ particularly Key โ could be significant.