Key is set to unveiled as the ECB's new managing director

Two candidates from outside cricket got to the final stages of the recruitment process that concluded with Rob Key emerging as the ECB's choice for new managing director.

Key, 42, is to be unveiled in the coming days pending the successful conclusion of negotiations on financial terms for the role, his first in a management position following seven post-playing years as a television commentator.

The fact that his first will be in what is English cricket's top job highlights the paucity of credible alternatives. As does the fact a couple of outsiders got so far.

Last month, acting MD Andrew Strauss said that the game in this country needed to be 'bold and ambitious' to address a malaise in Test cricket that has delivered just one win in 17 Test matches, and pursue a path leading to England being the best across all formats.

He has shown a willingness to look outside the box by bringing in Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport at Ineos Grenadiers cycling, as one of those to assist him in a new review into English cricket.

Receiving input from experts from other sports is something Strauss became familiar with during his time as England captain.

Simon Timson spent six years at the ECB between 2006-12, initially as head of science and medicine and later as head of England's development programme, having created a legacy of success as performance director for British Skeleton over the preceding 10 years.

Post ECB, as performance director for UK Sport, he helped Team GB become the first nation to surpass its medal total from a home Olympics, winning 27 golds in Rio in 2016.

Then, at the Lawn Tennis Association, Timson launched a decade-long vision to make 'Great Britain one of the most respected tennis nations in the world