Andrew Strauss acknowledges "ticking clock" for ECB appointments

GEORGE DOBELL: England are taking applications for the vacant managing director role at the ECB and hope to fill it and appoint a new coaching team before the first Test of the summer

England have taken another step toward appointing a new managing director of the men’s game by publishing an advert inviting applications for the job.

The successful applicant will then preside over the appointment of a new coaching team. The ECB still hope this is completed in time for the first Test of the summer, which is at the start of June, with a closing date for applications of March 27.

It has taken some time to reach this stage, though. Ashley Giles, the former managing director, left his role on February 3 meaning it has taken about six-weeks to reach this point.

It will be up to the new MD to decide if the coaching roles are split into two with one head coach looking after the limited-overs teams and another the Test team, but Andrew Strauss, the interim MD, has admitted he favours the idea. Strauss also confirmed he will not be applying for the role.

"I haven’t considered that, really," he said. "I’ve got unique personal circumstances that makes doing that role difficult and quite frankly there’s always value in getting a new perspective and new views. Nothing ever stays the same or goes backwards. I’m certain there’s going to be some good candidates for this role.

"We’re obviously very conscious there’s a ticking clock both in terms of appointing a director of cricket and then of course the coach or potentially coaches on the back of that."

^{Ashley Giles' replacement will preside over the appointment of a new coaching team [Barrington Coombs/Getty Images]}

The process, which is being managed by the recruitment agency SRI Executive, will in the first instance be anonymously reviewed to "ensure fairness" on the grounds of ethnicity, gender and other issues which might, in the past, have led to discriminatory practises.

The advert calls for an individual with "experience of delivering in high-pressure and high-profile environments" with "gravitas and versatility to lead" as well as "demonstrable experience of dealing with the media and crisis management."

It also requires "experience of leading international/FCC team and/or environments" and "excellent experience and understanding of working with international sports teams and high-profile sports personalities." It says it is "desirable" to have playing experience at "international and/or first-class" level.

Among those who might be favoured if they applied are Justin Langer, Marcus North, Mike Hesson, Alec Stewart and Clare Connor.

Meanwhile, England held an optional training session in Barbados on Monday. Saqib Mahmood was especially impressive with the ball, dismissing Ollie Pope in the nets a couple of times and bowling with good pace. He is pushing hard to replace one of either Chris Woakes or Craig Overton on a wicket which, on Monday’s evidence, looked pretty good for batting.

Ollie Robinson, who missed the first Test with a sore back, looks almost certain to return in place of Mark Wood, who is awaiting the results of a scan on his elbow. Saqib is probably quicker than Woakes, Overton or Robinson and might be seen as adding variety to an attack which could look a little one-paced.

Jofra Archer also produced an encouraging performance with the ball as he continues his rehabilitation from elbow surgery. Archer, who has a home in Barbados, has joined up with the England squad for training this week but is still some weeks away from a competitive return.