STOKES SKIPPER AS KEY MAKES HIS FIRST MOVE

HIS APPOINTMENT NEEDS ONLY FINAL RATIFICATION

- Will Macpherson

ROB KEY’S reign as England’s managing director of men’s cricket is beginning to take shape, with Ben Stokes poised to be named Test captain and applications open for a host of coaching positions.

Stokes has widely been considered the only viable candidate to take over from Joe Root, whose five-year reign ended when he resigned this month.

Key has held talks with Stokes and other senior players since his appointment 10 days ago. The all-rounder is thought to be keen on the job and an appointment appears close. Any appointment would need to be ratified by the ECB board, which means an announcement is likely to be pushed into next week.

Stokes was Root’s vice-captain for much of his term, although James Anderson, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali all did the job when he was unavailable. It appears unlikely that England will name an official vice-captain this time, uncertainty over the best XI meaning standout candidates are thin on the ground.