The Position Of England's National Selector's Job Could Be Revived, Ian Bell Is The Front-Runner For the Role - Reports

Former England top-order batsman Ian Bell might be a candidate for the role of the national selector, which has been contentiously disbanded by Ashley Giles last year. England men’s cricket managing director Rob Key is looking to reintroduce the position.

Former England managing director Giles was forced to resign after the Joe Root-led side’s poor showing in the Ashes series in Australia, which they lost 0-4. As part of a “restructuring” of the men’s team selection process, Giles eliminated the position of national selector.

The post of national selector Ed Smith was removed, and England head coach Chris Silverwood was handed responsibility for the overall selection.

According to a story on dailymail.co.uk, new England, managing director Key is determined to reestablish that position as soon as possible, and 40-year-old Bell, a veteran of 118 Tests and 161 One-day Internationals, has “emerged as a contender for the position of Test national selector.”

Ian Bell retired from first-class cricket a few years ago:

Ian Bell, who retired from first-class cricket a few years ago after scoring 7,727 runs in Tests, has since handled coaching, having worked with England Under 19s, county side Derbyshire, and appearances with Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred and Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL), according to the report.

Key is thought to be considering dividing the responsibilities for Test and white-ball cricket, similar to what he did with England’s coaching staff. Former Australian women’s team coach Matthew Mott has been named England men’s team white-ball coach, while Brendon McCullum has been named Test coach.

Ian Bell announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the end of the 2020 Northern summer on September 6, 2020.

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