- Beat big name English stars to the role
England have turned to an Australian to help rebuild their cricket team after last summer’s Ashes humiliation, with former Test batter Marcus North poised to become the ECB’s new national selector.
North is set to become the first overseas figure to hold such a powerful selection role in English cricket following Australia’s crushing 4-1 Ashes series win, which extended England’s winless streak in Australia to 14 years.
The former WA left-hander reportedly beat former England quicks Steven Finn and Darren Gough for the position after final interviews this week.
The appointment is viewed as one of the biggest changes inside England’s set-up since Ben Stokes’ side was dismantled across Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide before scraping a consolation win at the MCG.
England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach came under heavy scrutiny during the tour after the visitors slumped to a 3-0 deficit within just 11 days of cricket.
England have turned to Australian Marcus North after their humiliating 4-1 Ashes defeat and disastrous Bazball collapse down under
North reportedly beat England legends Darren Gough and Steven Finn for the influential ECB position
North is expected to work closely alongside Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum during England’s looming post-Ashes rebuild
North played 21 Tests for Australia between 2009 and 2010 and scored five centuries, including a memorable Ashes ton at Headingley against England.
He has spent much of the past two decades immersed in English cricket, playing for six counties and serving as Durham’s director of cricket for the past eight years.
The 46-year-old has worked closely with England captain Ben Stokes at Durham and also has strong ties to white-ball skipper Harry Brook and England Lions coach Andrew Flintoff.
North will reportedly have the ‘final say’ on selection matters in a way predecessor Luke Wright did not.
He is expected to work alongside England coach Brendon McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Stokes as England attempts to reset ahead of the next Ashes cycle.
England reportedly viewed one of the major failings of the Ashes tour as a lack of long-term planning and experience within the ECB following widespread staffing changes after the 2021-22 series.
North’s Australian background is believed to have strengthened his case, with the ECB hoping his experience can help England avoid another disastrous tour when they next head Down Under in 2029-30.
The Australian has also been credited with helping rebuild Durham after the county’s financial collapse and enforced relegation in 2016.
North could officially begin the role within days and may oversee selection for England’s first Test squad against New Zealand at Lord’s next month.
