Ben Stokes accepts offer of England captaincy by Rob Key to start new era for Test side
Ben Stokes will lead England out at Lord’s as the new Test captain after being offered the job by Rob Key.
Rob Key Sport News
England advertise for separate red-ball, white-ball coaches
The England cricket board (ECB) look set to return to a split coaching set-up after inviting applications for two new head coaches, following Chris Silverwood's resignation.
England And Wales Cricket Board Advertises For Separate Red And White-Ball Coaching Job
England are set to return to a split-coaching structure after ECB's new Managing Director Rob Key made his first major decision by advertising for two new head coaches. The split in roles is on expected lines as Key had previous called for it while working as a pundit. Both coaches will report directly to Key and be "accomplished strategists with clear and ambitious plans for how they will develop and build success for English cricket moving forward," according the advertisement.
England to appoint separate head coaches for Test and limited-overs squads
England have confirmed they will appoint separate head coaches to lead the men’s Test and limited-overs squads, with the interview process set to begin in just two weeks.
In India, jealous gang wanted me to fail so I developed thick skin: Ravi Shastri
Robert Key will need to grow a "thick skin" akin to the Dukes ball just like I grew one to counter the "jealous people", former India head coach Ravi Shastri said on how the ex-England opener should go out about his job as ECB's 'Director of Cricket'. Shastri was at helm of India's coaching staff between 2014 to 2021, save one year in the middle when Anil Kumble was given the charge. In an interview to UK's 'The Guardian' newspaper, Shastri said that there was a "gang of people in India" who always wanted him to fail. Just like Shastri, Key has also been an acclaimed commentator for a long time and doesn't have a coaching degree as he tries to ease into a new and very different role. "I didn't have coaching badges [either]. Level one? Level two? **** that. And in a country like India, there is always jealousy or a gang of people willing you to fail. I had a thick skin, thicker than the leather of the Dukes ball you use. A real solid hide.
Ravi Shastri: ‘Rob Key will develop a thick skin. Every day you are judged’
“Oh no, no, don’t go down that route,” replies Ravi Shastri, his familiar baritone laugh bellowing down the phone line from Mumbai when asked if he would be interested in filling the vacant position of England men’s head coach. “Haha. Oh no. Seven years with India – a full-time job, 300 days a year, 1.4bn people judging you every day – that takes its toll. Good luck to anyone who lasts that long.”It was a cheeky inquiry, admittedly, coming midway through a freewheeling chat to discuss the rarely attempted switch from television commentator to running a national team. Rob Key left the Sky box to become the director of England men’s cricket last week and Shastri had noted a line in the Guardian that compared this with his time as India’s equivalent from 2014 to 2016, and then a hugely successful spell as head coach from 2017 until last year, after more than two decades as a broadcaster.
Stokes set to step into Joe Root's shoes as England Test captain
In the Maori language, the word rangatira signifies high rank. It was the word his late father Ged chose in reflecting his pride as Ben Stokes prepared to wear the England armband for the first time two summers ago.
Former India head coach Gary Kirsten keen on England Test job
Gary Kirsten is likely to be on the shortlist for the vacant role of the England Test head coach as Rob Key moves to make his first major appointment as director of men’s cricket.