England have moved to the final stage of appointing a new national selector, with interviews taking place this week.
The appointment is the most significant change to England’s backroom staff following the dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia last winter.
However, the departure of previous selector Luke Wright is not connected to the Ashes humiliation – the former Sussex all-rounder’s decision to stand down was a personal one.
The national selector will be involved in every step of England’s player identification structure. The role will include being consulted on the final XI for a Test or white-ball internationals, selection of senior and Lions squads, liaising with counties and leading a team of scouts.
Last week, the Telegraph linked Steven Finn to the job, while the Daily Mail touted another former England pace bowler in Darren Gough. Ex-England captain Sir Alastair Cook has ruled himself out of the running.
The new selector will likely only have a limited involvement in the process of choosing a squad for the first Test against New Zealand, beginning at Lord’s on 4 June.
The squad is set to be named in the week beginning 18 May, ahead of an England training camp in Loughborough commencing on 25 May.
In the aftermath of the heavy loss in Australia, Ben Stokes’ team are likely to be looking for a new opener to replace Zak Crawley.
Durham’s Emilio Gay and Somerset’s James Rew would be the leading contenders, and could both be named in the squad for the first Test.
The identity of England’s frontline spinner and seamers to join the fast-bowling department would also be up for discussion.
One challenge the selector will face is balancing the value of performances in county cricket with an England regime that has recently been guided by the attributes it believes are required to be successful in the Test arena.