Luke Wright named England men's selector after long search

The Sussex allrounder has retired from professional cricket as part of his move, ending a career that leaves him as the leading run-scorer in T20 Blast history

Luke Wright has been named as England men's selector, bringing to an end a lengthy search to fill the role.

The former England allrounder takes over from Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, who has been doing the job on an interim basis until now, though he will retain a voice on the panel.

Performance director Mo Bobat, player ID lead David Court and head coaches Brendon McCullum and Matthew Mott will also have a say, meaning that Wright's role is not quite the same as existed previously.

The position was abolished during Ashley Giles' tenure as managing director when Ed Smith held the post, with Chris Silverwood, the head coach at the time across all formats, instead given the added responsibility of looking after selection. But Key has made no secret of his desire to reinstate it, though filling the post has been easier said than done.

Alec Stewart is understood to have declined the chance to take up the role earlier in the process.

The Cricketer understands that Stewart, the director of cricket at Surrey, was the favourite option for Key but, having asked for time to reflect on the possibility, decided to remain with Surrey.

Steve Harmison also confirmed that he was interested in the position, while Mark Alleyne, who acts as a part-time scout for England in county cricket, was also in the frame.

^{Alec Stewart turned down the role earlier in the process (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)}

Wright, though, is highly regarded and widely respected; he is currently coaching with Auckland as their performance and talent coach, having previously been part of New Zealand's backroom staff on a short-term basis despite still playing himself in the T20 Blast.

To take up his new role, however, Wright has retired from professional cricket. He scored more than 16,000 runs for Sussex in over 400 matches across formats. He remains the leading run-scorer in Blast history.

"I would like to thank everyone connected to the club for the support I've had ever since moving here. I gave my everything and I hope that showed on the pitch," he said.

"I would also like to thank my friends and family for the love, support and sacrifices they gave to make my career possible. And finally, my brother Ashley who has been my batting coach from start to finish. I will always be a Sussex fan."

He added: "It's a huge honour and privilege to take on this role, one that I am incredibly excited about. With the Ashes and ICC Men's 50-over World Cup next year, I can't wait to get started and try to contribute after what has been a fantastic year for England men's cricket."

^{Rob Key (left) will retain a say in selection (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

Wright's remit straddles the entire pathway, from the senior team and England Lions through to the under-19 side, which is now coached by his long-time teammate, Michael Yardy. Much like James Taylor's former role, his job also includes being across all domestic cricket and an involvement in central contract decisions.

He is Key's latest innovative pick but also an ideal candidate in many ways, given the development of his own career. At one stage, he was touted as a successor to Andrew Flintoff, was involved in Test squads and won successive County Championship titles. But he stopped playing first-class cricket at the end of 2018 and instead moulded himself as a fearsome white-ball opener, becoming a regular in the Big Bash with Melbourne Stars and a legend of white-ball county cricket in the 21st century.

He has continued to champion county cricket and represented England 101 times in white-ball cricket, including as a teammate of Key during the 2009 World T20, while his relative youth and proximity to today's game make him a good fit.

"With his significant experience of playing in England and overseas as well as his in-depth knowledge of county cricket, he will be an important voice in squad selection while also helping to identify the next generation of England stars," said Key.

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