Latest Rob Key News & Updates

London, May 20 (IANS) Former England fast bowler Darren Gough has said head coach Brendon McCullum was ‘very lucky’ to retain his job as the head coach after the 4-1 debacle in the Ashes, while admitting he was ‘disheartened’ on missing out on the role of national selector.Gough, who claimed 467 international wickets and previously served as Yorkshire’s managing director of cricket, missed out on becoming England’s new national selector, with the role going to former Australia batter…

London, May 13 (IANS) Former England wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor is set to become the first woman to work with the England senior men’s side after being appointed fielding coach for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.Taylor, widely recognised as one of the best wicketkeepers ever, male or female, will serve as the short-term fielding coach during the home series while regular coach Carl Hopkinson is busy with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).This role is ano…

London, May 13 (IANS) England have recalled seamer Ollie Robinson after a two‑year absence and named uncapped trio Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker in the squad for the first Test against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on June 4. The match will also mark England’s first outing since their dismal Ashes campaign. Robinson, 32, returns as England seek an attack leader following the retirements of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Chris Woakes. He has 76 wickets from 20 Tests, but was dro…

London, May 13 (IANS) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named former Australia batter Marcus North as England Men’s National Selector, marking the end of his long-standing stint with Durham County Cricket Club. North arrives at the ECB after nearly eight years at Durham, where he held the role of Director of Cricket following his appointment in 2018. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to include oversight of both the men’s and women’s professional setups at the county.As …

New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Former England captain Michael Vaughan has strongly criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the delay in appointing a new national selector, calling the situation “ridiculous” as the team approaches an important Test series against New Zealand. The position has been open since Luke Wright announced he would step down on January 22. He left after the T20 World Cup in March. Even though the vacancy has lasted over four months and the County Championship…

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) England captain Ben Stokes has quashed the talks of a rift with head coach Brendon McCullum, calling it a “massive overstatement”, but indicated that he may work with the head coach in a “slightly different way”.England’s 4-1 defeat in the Ashes in Australia was described as a systemic failure, with poor preparation and the collapse of the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach leaving the side exposed.After an ECB review, the duo have been cleared to hold onto their roles …

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) England captain Ben Stokes has confirmed that his return to competitive cricket has been delayed until May due to complications from a cheekbone injury. The 34-year-old all-rounder, who was hit by a ball during a training session with Durham’s academy players in early February, underwent surgery a week later to repair the fractured cheekbone.Stokes had originally intended to return during Durham’s County Championship opening game against Kent this Friday. However, …

London, March 24 (IANS) England men’s cricket director Rob Key has responded to recent criticism from all-rounder Liam Livingstone, saying the player remains firmly in contention for national selection despite a disagreement over communication and team environment.Livingstone, who has been out of the England setup since last year’s ICC Champions Trophy, had criticised the team management for avoiding difficult conversations and suggested his future depended on changes behind the scenes. He a…

London, Jan 22 (IANS) Luke Wright will step down from his role as England men’s selector after the upcoming T20 World Cup, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.Wright, who has served in the position for three years after assuming charge in November 2022, informed the board of his decision made with an eye to having less travel and spending more time with his young family. His departure comes in the wake of England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.“It has been a true ho…

London, Jan 15 (IANS) England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire for the 2026 season, seeking to revitalise his domestic career after limited opportunities at Somerset.The 22-year-old, who has become a part of England’s Test squad over the past two years, moves to Derbyshire in search of consistent red-ball cricket. Despite taking 68 wickets in 19 Tests since his debut in 2024, Bashir struggled to displace Jack Leach at Somerset.His lack of match practice …