Rob Key Appointed As Managing Director Of England Men’s Team By ECB

Former England batter Rob Key has been named as the new managing director of the national men’s team by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on April 17, 2022, as announced in an official release.

Key will take over from Sir Andrew Strauss who was managing the team on an interim basis after the previous managing director of the England team, Ashley Giles stepped down from the role after three years at the helm in the aftermath of the Ashes 2021-22 drubbing in which England lost 0-4 to Australia down under.

Key will be responsible for the strategy behind the England Men’s cricket teams and the performance pathways leading into them.

He will also take a key role as part of the High-Performance Review which will shortly begin. Key will also relinquish his current role with Sky Sports and take over immediately.

A former Kent captain, Rob Key is respected across the English cricketing circles and played 21 times for England across all three formats including making a Test double hundred against the West Indies at Lord’s in 2004 which led to him being named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2005.

It Is An Absolute Honour To Take Up This Role: Rob Key

During his playing career which spanned from 1998-to 2015, Rob Key amassed over 28,000 runs with 60 centuries. He captained Kent twice from 2006-to 2012 and then again from 2014-15.

He also won the county championship Second Division title in 2010 and reached three white ball domestic finals. He was also part of the England side that won the Under-19 World Cup for the first and only time in 1998.

After becoming the new managing director of the England men’s team, Rob Key said: “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.”

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said: “Following a thorough recruitment process, Rob stood out in a very competitive field. His passion and knowledge of the game at domestic and international level is outstanding.

“He is a proven leader and combines an approachable nature with fresh original thinking and resilience which will stand him in good stead. He will bring a lot to the role and I am sure players and staff alike will enjoy working with Rob. I have no doubt he will relish the challenge before us.”

England team’s next big challenge will be when New Zealand and India visit their shores.

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