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[northernboy1987]

Agree on Collingwood being involved, got that bit of backbone that's often missing in England's set ups!

[Hoover]

Why give the job to a cricketer. Shouldn't you be looking for a successful business person ?

[SOULMAN1012]

All this talk if getting the England team to "elite performance" surly that's what should have been happening anyway?? So are they saying that under downtown "elite performance" which I translate to be playing at the same level if not above all other teams around you was not what they wanted to do.
Really glad he has gone the bloke is a muppet that has made the ECB a laughing stock along with one or two others as well. Personally prefer Hussain or Butcher, both speak there mind and seem passionate about England playing there best players and focusing on youth as well as experience.

[Blenheim Cricket]

Is it me or are all the possible names being mentioned on here people who work for various media outlets who are good at voicing opinions. Do they have the skills needed to improve the structure of England elite cricket.

[tim2000s]

Clive Woodward for me please.

[iand123]

Why give the job to a cricketer. Shouldn't you be looking for a successful business person ?

Believe Downton had spent 20 years in the city prior to taking the job (having previously been a first class cricketer).

[iand123]

I could see them giving the job to Strauss, he's the ECB's type of person, called KP a James Blunt on TV which will surely tick a few ECB boxes, has recently played at the higher level and seems to be relatively sensible with a view not just about cricket (i could be horrendously wrong on that front, just how he comes across to me!).

I like Vaughan but he changes his opinion to whatever is the popular thinking, good as a pundit and in the media.

Butcher seems to know his stuff, Stewart is doing the same job at Surrey so has experience. What about a complete left field suggestion, Shane Warne

[SLC]

seems to be relatively sensible with a view not just about cricket 

actually, they were trying to get him to be a Conservative candidate, so dependending on your views.....

[iand123]

I've just read the statement from the ECB yesterday

He joined at a very difficult time, but under his leadership the Test team have made significant strides...

Seems they are comparing the ashes whitewash with a series loss at home to Sri Lanka, a home series against a lucklustre Indian side as significant strides?!?!?!

[iand123]

actually, they were trying to get him to be a Conservative candidate, so dependending on your views.....

Fair point

[ProCricketer1982]

Why give the job to a cricketer. Shouldn't you be looking for a successful business person ?

No!!!

You want someone who is doing the best for the game, not the best for the bean counters.

[Buzz]

Why give the job to a cricketer. Shouldn't you be looking for a successful business person ?

I think it depends on what you want from the job - for me Tom Harrison's role is that filled by a successful business person, the director of cricket needs to be someone who understands:
1. the style of cricket that is needed to win cricket matches - in each format - which is defined by the captain with help from the coach
2. be able to challenge the captain to ensure that approach will be impactful - so must understand the modern game and be a strategic thinker
3. should work with the captain and coach to help the selectors identify the players who can deliver that game plan
4. where those players don't exist, work with the coaches at the counties to find and create those players

Personally I don't see this as a full time role, but I do think it needs to be a someone with significant cricket experience

[uknsaunders]

I think the rumour is it will be combined with the job of selector. Bye bye Whittaker and it saves one head in the England setup.

[Stumper]

No one has mentioned Jason Gillespie 

[ProCricketer1982]

No one has mentioned Jason Gillespie 

He has been if you read the posts