Wright stands down as England national selector

Luke Wright will step down as national selector in the latest change to the England backroom following the dismal Ashes campaign.

Former Sussex and England all-rounder Wright will leave at the end of the T20 World Cup, after just over three years in the role.

The 40-year-old's departure is his own decision, rather than being asked to leave in the aftermath of England's 4-1 defeat in Australia.

"The role demands significant travel and time away from home and with a young family, the time feels right to pass the baton on to the next person," said Wright.

"I now look forward with real interest and enthusiasm to whatever cricketing roles the future may hold."

Nevertheless, Wright's exit is another alteration to the England staff as they look to rebuild after the Ashes.

"I have absolutely loved working with Luke," said England director of cricket Rob Key. "His contribution to English cricket has been exceptional and I trust his judgement as much as anyone. He has added so much more to this role than just being a selector.

"I'm very sad to see him go and I wish him and his family all the best for the future. I have no doubt that at some stage down the road he will enhance English cricket once again."

Key and head coach Brendon McCullum have been given the opportunity to stay in their roles if they can bring changes that will improve results and team culture.

After dropped catches blighted the tour of Australia, England have brought in fielding coach Carl Hopkinson on a short-term basis for the three T20s in Sri Lanka and the World Cup that follows.

Troy Cooley, the Australian who was famously part of the England coaching team for the 2005 Ashes, has returned as national pace-bowling lead – though his arrival was planned for some time.

England have also implemented a midnight curfew for the tour of Sri Lanka and the World Cup. On Wednesday, white-ball captain Harry Brook admitted supporters have "every right to be annoyed" after he was punched by a nightclub bouncer in October on the eve of the third one-day international against New Zealand.

Now England will look for a replacement for Wright in time for the home summer, which begins with a three-Test series against New Zealand in June.

Wright, who played 101 white-ball internationals for England, was hired at the end of 2022 and formed the selection panel with Key and McCullum, along with input from captains Ben Stokes and Brook.

The new appointment could influence a shift in focus in selection, with England recently choosing to disregard performances in county cricket as a main metric.

Shoaib Bashir was identified as the number one spinner despite not being first choice for his county Somerset. Bashir was then not chosen for any of the Ashes Tests as England instead preferred Will Jacks, who had played only five first-class matches in the previous two years.

Jamie Smith is not the first-choice wicketkeeper for Surrey, yet was given the gloves for England in the Test side ahead of, among others, Surrey keeper Ben Foakes.

While Key looks set to stay on as director of cricket, McCullum's future is less certain and the identity of the head coach will have a huge influence on selection for that New Zealand Test series.

England will certainly need to identify a spinner, while the immediate futures of Smith and opener Zak Crawley could come into question. Depending on fitness, England are also likely to have to boost their fast-bowling ranks.