Rob Key has little question Stephen Fleming is the correct man to revive England’s Test team and declared he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Ben Stokes was tempted out of retirement to play a job.
As managing director of men’s cricket on the England and Wales Cricket Board, Secret’s attempting to choose up the pieces of a turbulent summer that has seen former skipper Stokes walk away from international duty and Brendon McCullum axed as red-ball coach.
Key’s own position has come under heavy scrutiny but, having retained his job, he has identified former Recent Zealand captain Fleming and returning captain Joe Root because the partnership to bring stability and success back to a side that had clearly lost its way.
McCullum stays a vital a part of the image on the helm of the white-ball team and lots still consider Stokes could re-enter the fray in time for next yr’s Ashes campaign.
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PICTURE: Nick Potts/PA
Great story
Speaking at Lord’s to launch his latest vision for England, Key wouldn’t rule out a headline-grabbing return for the Durham all-rounder.
Asked if Fleming had raised the concept, he said: “We haven’t got round to that for the time being, but it surely can be an awesome story.”
Pressed by Sky Sports on whether Stokes himself had given any indication, a smiling Key added: “No, he hasn’t but I wouldn’t be surprised. Anything’s possible with Ben.
“No (bridges have been burned)… under no circumstances. Not so far as I’m concerned.”
PICTURE: David Davies/PA
Lack of preparation?
Fleming, 53, was a highly respected tactician and man manager during his long stint as Recent Zealand captain – during which period he forged a powerful bond with McCullum.
That relationship could serve the ECB well as they try and avoid the tensions which have marred previous attempts to put in a split coaching regime – with Andy Flower and Ashley Giles failing to gel and Matthew Mott playing second fiddle to McCullum after they attempted a job share.
There has, though, been consternation about Fleming not taking charge of the forthcoming series against Pakistan.
Having just concluded a protracted stint in command of Chennai Super Kings he’ll take a break before arriving within the country in September, leaving him seven Tests and no home series before the Ashes.
PICTURE: Gary Oakley/PA
Best person
Key was bullish on that, insisting: “My job is to get the perfect person.
“It wasn’t a stipulation for any of the candidates that you simply needed to be there for Pakistan. Had that been the case, that will have limited the sphere drastically.
“A month ago this was probably not on numerous people’s radar – definitely myself and Stephen Fleming, as well.
“In life, you might have numerous things that you might have to do, that you would be able to’t do, which were planned a great distance upfront, which might be really essential for him as well.
“In order that wasn’t a stipulation that you simply needed to be in there, as I said, that will have narrowed the sphere considerably if it was.
“In Stephen and Joe, I feel we’ve got the 2 best people to take what’s a side with an enormous amount of potential.
“I’m as optimistic as ever that we’ve got the perfect people to take English cricket forward.”
PICTURE: Ben Whitley/PA
Homegrown over overseas?
4 of England’s last six Test coaches have been imported from overseas, Fleming following within the footsteps of McCullum, Trevor Bayliss and Andy Flower, in what appears an indictment over the domestic production line.
Key accepted there had been slow progress on that rating but indicated latest opportunities for homegrown candidates to affix the setup may very well be imminent, with Glamorgan’s Richard Dawson a number one contender.
“It’s not happened quick enough, but that’s a large a part of what we’re going to try to do going forward,” he said.
“One in all the primary things Stephen spoke about was that.
“We now have an obligation as well to bring coaches through, to upskill and to provide them experiences. It’s an issue we’re all trying to resolve, it’s just not a fast fix.
“While you go for jobs like this…the remit is you get the perfect person possible and for my part, that’s Stephen Fleming.
“Next time you don’t want someone to go, ‘Well, I actually have to appoint an English coach’. What you would like is the English coaches to be top of that list.”
READ MORE: Stephen Fleming named latest England Test head coach as Joe Root returns as captain
