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Former England captain Nasser Hussain backs 'excellent' Rob Key to succeed as new managing director

Rob Key was announced on Sunday afternoon as the new managing director of the England team, replacing Graham Thorpe in the role.

As England look to rebuild following a dismal Ashes defeat in the winter, Rob Key's appointment as managing director seems to be a major step forward.
However, while it's an exciting new horizon for the England squad, the former Kent captain has plenty to do before the side's next Test match in the summer.

First and foremost, Joe Root's decision to step down from captaincy last Friday means Key's first priority will be finding a new captain for the side.

Secondly, with Paul Collingwood only currently the interim coach of the sqaud, Key will need to find a long-term replacement for the head coach role.
But while Key certainly has plenty to get stuck into in his new role, former England captain and fellow pundit Nasser Hussain has backed him as the right man for the job.

"Firstly I'm very pleased for Rob, I think the ECB have made an excellent choice there. Even though at times he plays the fool, he is no fool," said Hussain.

"At times he's said things either on air or at the back of the box and you just think, 'This lad knows his cricket'. He's absolutely a cricket man from top to bottom.
"He's played for Kent, he's captained Kent and he's obviously played for England and he's been a broadcaster for six years.
"I think England have made a good choice, he is an excellent cricket man and he's got a very good cricket brain."
Another former England captain in the shape of Michael Atherton also echoed the praise, but warned that Key will need to quickly adapt to the managerial side of the role.
"His instincts on cricket are very sound, he's got good cricket knowledge,"said Atherton.
"What he doesn't have is managerial experience which he will obviously have to get up to speed on in the new job.
"There are a lot of appointments to be filled. He'll need a new England captain, a new England coach and probably a new England selector so there's a lot on his plate."
Thankfully for Key, time is on his side, and he'll have two months to get up to speed before England's June visit from New Zealand.

READ MORE: Rob Key announced as new managing director of England men's cricket

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