ECB to name Ed Smith as England’s new national selector

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

Ed Smith is set to be named England’s new national selector by the ECB ahead of fellow contender Andy Flower.

The BBC TMS broadcaster will succeed James Whitaker, who stood down from the role last month as a result of a reshuffle to the ECB’s scouting and selection process.

Smith has faced competition from TCP’s own Derek Pringle, Mike Selvey and, foremost, England Lions head coach Flower, who were all interviewed for the job. But it is the former Kent and Middlesex batsman who Andrew Strauss is set to officially announce as the new national selector later this week.

In his position as director of England cricket, Strauss moved to stream-line the selection process in the aftermath of England’s woeful touring record in Tests under head coach Trevor Bayliss.

England have lost 10 of their last 13 Tests away from home, despite England’s prominent rise with the white ball with the Australian at the helm.

And Strauss enacted a major shake-up to the personnel involved in spotting potential international stars from the county circuit.

Following Whitaker in vacating their seats on the panel were long-term selectors Angus Fraser and Mick Newell, who will now concentrate wholly on their roles with Middlesex and Nottinghamshire, respectively.

Smith is now expected to head up the panel to begin preparations for England’s series against Pakistan in May, with his first task likely to be the appointment of a third, independent, selector to join him and Bayliss in setting out team plans.