Hit the North: Why England turn to an Australian after losing its way in Ashes

PL on the appointment of Marcus North as head selector

Marcus North played 21 Tests for Australia. Pic wikicommons

Cricket Et Al reported in November on English cricket managing director Rob Key’s respect for the Australian way of cricket and its influence on the Bazball era. Now, in the wake of an Ashes embarrassment that could have, and probably should have, cost either Brendon McCullum or Key their job, they’ve brought in Marcus North to calm critics _ and hopefully set England up for a better performance when they host Australia at home next year.

North was chosen over former England players Steve Finn and Darren Gough. The 46-year-old’s appointment has got up a few noses in England, with a couple of the local journos chundering on social media, upset that a country with 18 first-class counties keeps looking outside to fix its problems. They’re in the minority, however, with most of the beat writers hailing the decision. Wisden editor and Daily Mail correspondent, Lawrence Booth, announced the Australian was the “shrewd choice”, believing “the one-time Ashes rival will heal the wounds in English cricket”. The Telegraph’s Will McPherson said North was “a good choice. An Australian, but steeped in the county game so knows everyone in English cricket, but a new voice in this setup who is not afraid to challenge”.