Whitaker about to get the bullet too 
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Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’ -
Good to see us looking to make changes to management which was so obviously needed my one concern is who we replace them with.Comment
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New Director of England cricket role to be created with Alec Stewart, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss linked.
Paul Downton sacked as ECB managing director
Downtown leaves after just 18 months following disastrous World Cup campaign - with Michael Vaughan admitting he would talk to ECB over new role
Paul Downton has been sacked as England’s Managing Director less than 14 months after taking on the top job in English cricket.
Downton had been under mounting pressure and has now become the first to pay the price for England’s catastrophic winter during which they failed to qualify for the last eight of the World Cup.
National selector James Whittaker is also expected to be sacked, possibly as early as tomorrow, because of a lack of international cricket experience and a bungled radio interview about the selection policy over Kevin Pietersen.
Head coach Peter Moores is also under pressure but retains strong support within the England team, who are currently in the West Indies preparing for a three-match Test series.
Michael Vaughan is a leading contender for the newly-created role of Director of England Cricket - which will replace the Managing Director job and could also render redundant the selector's position - with Andrew Strauss also in the frame.
In a statement, Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: “The England Cricket Department needs to deliver performance at the highest level and our structure needs to be accountable for reaching the standards we aspire to. The new role we are putting in place will deliver an environment where world class performance is at the heart of everything we do.
Harrison added: “Paul is a man of great integrity who has worked extremely hard to make a difference at the ECB. He joined at a very difficult time, but under his leadership the Test team have made significant strides. We thank him for his hard work, drive and determination and wish him every success for the future.
“The touring team in the West Indies are aware of the changes. The process for appointing the new role, with sole responsibility for the England set-up, will begin immediately.
The Managing Director role will be removed from the ECB structure, according to their press release. A newly created role of ‘Director of England Cricket’, will replace it. The restructuring follows a review of the team’s performance at the World Cup and a need to look to the long-term, putting a plan in place for 2019 and beyond.
Downton, who succeeded Hugh Morris, has been made the scapegoat even though it was not his decision to replace Alastair Cook as the one-day captain shortly before England set off for Australia and the World Cup.
This decision was made by the England selectors and Downton had to go along with it, even though he had spoken out in favour of Cook remaining as captain in the interests of stability.
But Downton’s most controversial decision was to ban Kevin Pietersen after the last Ashes series, and to create a state of turmoil which has yet to subside.
Downton labelled Pietersen as “disconnected” from the England team after watching him in the Sydney Test in January 2014, just before he took over as Managing Director, and whatever his other achievements it is for that comment and decision that he will be remembered.
Former England captain Vaughan told Sky Sports: "It was inevitable that there would be change but it won't just get England playing like Australia on its own. There are deeper-rooted problems.
"There needs to be a collective desire for change - a cultural change in one-day cricket, going back 20 years or so. In the next two years or so, there needs to be an IPL-style window created.
"In Test cricket we're alright. The team could improve a bit but it's the World Cup which is the reason that Downton has lost his job. We need to catch up and the other teams will take some catching."
Asked directly whether he would like the role of Director of England cricket, Vaughan replied: "I'm always open to chats about the future of English cricket. They've got my phone number."
Another former Engladn captain, Nasser Hussain, said: "It happens after every World Cup - a captain, coach or in this case an MD. We need a total review of English cricket, especially one-day cricket. Until we do that nothing will change.
"We have been behind the curve, whether it be in getting rid of Alastair Cook from the one-day team, and even Paul Downton said he was surprised when they turned up in New Zealand and saw how 50-over cricket had moved on.
"The group of people behind the scenes are from a slightly different era and there is a need for some fresh blood."Comment
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Wonder if Moores will get hooked, bad choice first time around terrible idea to give him another goComment
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Moores is surely next (after Whitaker)Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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Must be. Can't imagine Strauss being involved will help KP back into the fold though
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Strauss seems fairly pragmatic, he was as a captain. Even if he was a little boring.
Vaughan seems to talk a lot of sense on TMS, but who knows. If we are going on pundits then Boycott would be a great shout. Not that he likely to take the job.
Also....too many Yorkshire-men
*Except Michael, who died.Comment
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Alec Stewart for me.
I'd take Strauss too.
Vaughan - great captain and cricket brain, but he's a prick. So **** him.
Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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Alec Stewart always gets spoken of highly for what he does with his current role. Coaching at Surrey or something isn't he?*Except Michael, who died.Comment
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Director of cricket at Surrey.Comment
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Stewart and tbf the others would all be good choices and a refreshing change to the trie tested and failed formula we usually go forComment
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Stewart would be a great choice. He is a straight talker, something currently lacking.
I quite like Vaughan - He was a great captain, and talks a good game.
Strauss... dunno - boring, seems not a good choice.
Good that they are looking to ex-pros. Hadn't realised how long out of the game Downton was. Had been working int he city for 15 yrs. Farcical.
Modifying post.Comment
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Vaughan and Stewart have both said they are interested.Comment
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RIP Richie Benaud.
The first cricket commentator I ever heard back when cricket was on council telly.Modifying post.Comment
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I farted on him once.Originally posted by Buzzo View Post
RIP he was an absolute legend. One of the best.Comment
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