Rob Key

Robert Key

Key bats for Kent againstNew Zealandat theSt. Lawrence Groundin 2008.
Personal information
Full name	Robert William Trevor Key
Born	(1979-05-12)12 May 1979 East Dulwich,London, England
Nickname	Keysy
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Opening batsman
International information
National side	England
Test debut (cap612)	8 August 2002 vIndia
Last Test	21 January 2005 vSouth Africa
ODI debut (cap178)	26 June 2003 vZimbabwe
Last ODI	6 July 2004 vWest Indies
ODI shirt no.	35
Only T20I (cap44)	5 June 2009 vNetherlands
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1998–2016	Kent(squad no. 4)
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 15 5 299 225 Runs scored 775 54 19,419 6,469 Batting average 31.00 10.80 40.45 32.18 100s/50s 1/3 0/0 54/76 8/37 Top score 221 19 270* 144* Ballsbowled – – 484 – Wickets – – 3 – Bowling average – – 110.33 – 5 wickets in innings – – 0 – 10 wickets in match – – 0 – Best bowling – – 2/31 – Catches/stumpings 11/– 0/– 155/– 46/–
Source:CricInfo,4 June 2020

Robert William Trevor Key(born 12 May 1979) is an English former cricketer and cricket commentator who playedinternationalcricketin all formats forEnglandand domestic cricket forKent County Cricket Club.He is the current managing director of theEngland Cricket team.

A right-handedopening batsman,Key made appearances at age-group level for Kent from the age of eleven, moving up until he made hisfirst-classdebut in 1998. He made eight first-class and four List A appearances for England's youth sides, and was a member of the side that won the1998 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.Following a season of heavy run-scoring, Key was called up to theEngland Aside in 1999.

Following an injury toMarcus Trescothick,Key made his Test debut againstIndiain 2002. He toured Australia during the2002–03 Ashes series,where he justified his selection ahead of a more experienced player. His One Day International debut came in 2003, againstZimbabwe,however he was dropped from both squads shortly after. Injury toMark Butcherallowed Key back into the England side for the series againstthe West Indiesin 2004. He scored his maiden Testhundredin the first match of the series, which later became his maiden first-class double century as he scored 221. This performance, coupled with the 93 he scored in the third Test, earned him recognition as one of the fiveWisdenCricketers of the Year.Key's last Test matches came during England's tour of South Africa during 2004–05, where he managed to score 152 runs without being consistent, and despite a one-match return during the2009 ICC World Twenty20,he has remained on the fringes of selection.

Key became Kent captain following the2006 English cricket season,followingDavid Fulton's resignation. He led Kent to a County Championship 2nd Division Championship title in 2010, twoTwenty20 CupFinals Day appearances and aFriends Provident Trophyfinal. He resigned as Kent captain following the2012 English cricket seasonandJames Tredwellbecame club captain. Key only had one season off as captain as Tredwell then himself resigned and Key was named as his replacement, captaining the county for another two years until the end of the 2015 season.

In April 2016, Key announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Key was a regular commentator onSky Sports' TV coverage of county cricket while still a player at Kent, and after retiring he worked as a pundit and commentator for a variety of media outlets, includingGTVandSEN.On 17 April 2022, he was appointed as the managing director of the England men's cricket team, stepping down from all of his media commitments.

Early and personal life

Born inEast Dulwich,London, to parents Trevor and Lynn,Key was raised in a particularly sporting family: his mother played for Kent's ladies cricket side, his father played club cricket inDerbyand his sister Elizabeth played for her junior school side, where she once took ahat-trick.Key himself was a keen all-round sportsman; he also playedtennisfor Kent.

He attended Worsley Bridge Primary School where the school won both the Bromley area and Kent cricket Cups. His performances led to his inclusion in the county under-elevens, beforeAlan Ealham,coach ofKent County Cricket Club's youth sides, became his mentor.Later he attendedColfe's SchoolinLee,London, andLangley Park School for BoysinBeckenham,where he passed tenGCSEs.

Key has often been criticized for his weight, and at one stage early in his career weighed 16stonebeforeAlec Stewarttold him to "buck his ideas up".Key himself said of the matter: "I'll never be the most athletic-looking bloke, but I'm a hell of a lot fitter than I was at 19 or 20."

Key is married to Fleur, with whom he has two children.

Youth and early career

Key played his first matches for Kent'ssecond elevenin 1995, at the age of sixteen. He remained a regular in the second team throughout the 1996 season and first half of the 1997 season, by which time he had hit his first two centuries for a Kent representative side; anunbeaten146 againstEssex's second team, and an unbeaten 139 againstGlamorgan's seconds.

Following on from those performances, Key joined the England Under-17 squad for the International Youth Tournament, which was being held inBermuda.Key's growing reputation as a batsman was greatly enhanced by his performances in this tournament, where he finished with the second highestbatting averageof anyone at the tournament, scoring 184 runs at an average of 48.Key's performances helped England win the tournament by a single point from Ireland's Under-17s.

Key returned to England for two matches with Kent's second team, before joining up withEngland's Under-19sfor a youth Test series againstZimbabwe's under-19s.In the three Test series, Key made two half-centuries, earning himself a place in the squad for the1998 Under-19 Cricket World Cupin South Africa. Batting at the top of the order throughout, Key scored a total of 206 runs as England won the tournament, with his best performance coming in the defeat toIndia,where Key scored 57.

Following afirst-classdebut againstMiddlesexat the beginning of the 1998 season, in which Key scored 15, he proceeded to play a near-complete season. He scored his first first-class century againstDurham,scoring 101 in an innings victory. He added a second century (115) againstNottinghamshire,before rejoining the England under-19 squad for the series againstPakistan under-19s.He struggled in the one-day series, scoring just 36 runs in three matches, but finished as the top run-scorer in the youth Tests; with 377 at an average of 62.83.

Domestic career

Key in the field during 2008

The1999 seasonbegan for Key with a call up toEngland A's tour ofZimbabwethrough January and February. He struggled for runs throughout his five matches on the tour, failing to pass 26 in any innings.In all, Key managed one century in the calendar year, 125 againstSomerset,and finished the year with 1,309 runs in all competitions. The2000 seasonproved even more disappointing, with just 700 runs at an average of less than 20.

The2001 English cricket seasonsaw Key's form improve, with him scoring four first-class centuries; including one against the touringPakistanis.His highest score of the season and career to date would come in the final game—he scored 132 in a rain-affected match againstLancashire.His scoring throughout the season persuaded the national selectors to include him in the National Academy, which went on a winter tour of Australia, where he showed his ability with an innings of 177 against the side's Australian counterparts.

He continued his good form into2002,where his run-scoring earned him an invitation to play for theMarylebone Cricket Clubagainst theSri Lankans.He scored 77 in a drawn match, and would later that season make his Test match debut against India. However, following his Test debut, he only passed 50 on one further occasion that year. He would maintain his place in the Test side against Zimbabwe the following year, despite only scoring one innings of note—129 against theCambridge students.However, after being dropped from the side, Key's form seemed to improve: he scored 140 against Nottinghamshire to set up a Kent victory,and consistently scored around 40 runs per innings for the remainder of the season.

The2004 English cricket seasonsaw Key hit top form for the first time, scoring a total of 2,486 runs in all competitions. This total included a "majestic" unbeaten 118 in the opening game of the season against Gloucestershire, during which Key did not offer a single chance throughout.He reached the thousand run milestone for the season on 2 June, the earliest date the milestone had been reached since 1978,and went on a run that included five centuries in seven innings.He was then recalled to the England squad for the series against theWest Indies,and Key played two key innings: 221 atLord's,and his second innings 93 not out to win the third Test for England. Following the series Key returned to the domestic scene, and finished the season with two further tons; 131 against bothNorthamptonshireandMiddlesex.

Following the winter international series in South Africa, Key returned to domestic action with Kent. While not having as successful a season as in the previous year, he still scored over 1,500 runs.This included two centuries in the same match againstSurrey,during the second of which he shared acounty third-wicket record partnershipof 323 withMartin van Jaarsveld.At the end of the season, Key was named the new county captain following the resignation ofDavid Fulton,a role he took on in order to help his chances of regaining a place in the England side.

His first season as captain saw his form slide, as Kent's chairman of cricketGraham Johnsonrelated at the end of the season: "His commitment to the team has probably impacted on his own form".Nonetheless, he was given the captaincy of the England A team in their fixture against Pakistan, and led Kent to fifth place in the top tier of theCounty Championship.The following season saw Key lead Kent to silverware, whilst returning to some of his best form. He struck a total of eight centuries, and amassed a total of 2,267 runs in all competitions, whilst also leading Kent to the finals day of the 2007Twenty20 Cup,in which Kent defeated Sussex and Gloucestershire to claim the trophy.However, Key was later found guilty of "serious dissent" following his controversial dismissal in the final.

He continued his run-scoring into 2008, where he scored an unbeaten 178 against the touring New Zealanders to "lift himself firmly into the Test reckoning".FollowingMichael Vaughan's resignation as England captain, Key was touted by the some in the media as a potential candidate for the job.However, the season ended badly for Key, as under his captaincy Kent were relegated to the second tier of the County Championship for the first time,with Key also being fined£1,250 for comments he made over an ECB pitch panel decision in August.

Key took his firstwicketin first-class cricket on the final day of Kent's draw withNorthamptonshireat the start of the 2009 season.He went on to score 1,209 runs that season, with four centuries including a career-best 270*, at 50.37 runs per innings. It was the sixth time he had passed one thousand runs in a season.He came close to beating this score the following season when, on 17 May 2010, he scored 261 againstDurham.He had, until that match, struggled with the bat—averaging only 14.30 in the County Championship.

He announced his retirement from the game on 18 April 2016, citing his desire to not "hinder younger players [coming through]" and focus on coaching and his role with Sky Sports as a television pundit.

International career

India in England, 2002

See also:Indian cricket team in England in 2002

Key made his Test match debut in the second Test againstIndiain 2002, as a replacement forMarcus Trescothick,who had broken his thumb.Chairman of selectorsDavid Graveneysaid Key was selected because of his "outstanding form for Kent after attending the National Academy" over the winter.Opening the batting withMichael Vaughan,Key made 17runsin his only innings before beingbowledbyAshish Nehra.Retained in the side for the third Test, Key managed scores of 30 and 34 as England succumbed to an innings defeat.However, his performance was marred by him dropping three catches.Key was dropped from the fourth and final Test, with Trescothick replacing him having been rushed back from injury.

England in Australia, 2002–03

See also:English cricket team in Australia in 2002–03

After success in domestic cricket and promise shown in his Test appearances previously, Key was selected as part of the squad to play Australia. Despite playing well in alimited overs matchagainst anACB Chairman's XI;hitting 68,he was not selected to play in the first Test, instead acting astwelfth man.He ended up fielding to a greater extent than he would have imagined, afterSimon Jonesruptured knee ligaments while fielding, and took no further part in the match.

Brought back into the side for the second Test for the injuredJohn Crawley,Key made a solitary run in the first innings, batting at number three, before beingcaughtoff the bowling ofShane Warnejust after the lunch break. Relegated to number five in the second innings, withMark ButcherandNasser Hussainbatting ahead of him, he again made just one before being caught offAndy Bichel.

Key fared better in the third match, played at theWACA GroundinPerth.On apitchwith "exceptional bounce and pace",Key was the only English batsman to keep his wicket intact for a prolonged period, batting passively for 47, the highest score of the innings. He then caughtBrett Leeat third man in Australia's only innings, before offering Hussain "stout support" in making 23 second time around.England lost the Test match by an innings and 48 runs, a result that ensured that Australia retainedthe Ashes.

Following a break for the first part of theVB Seriesof One Day Internationals, England moved toMelbournefor the fourth Test. Unfortunately for Key, he fell for a duck in the first innings, trappedleg before wicket(lbw) second ball byfast bowlerBrett Lee. With Englandfollowing on,Key made a maiden half-century to ensure Australia had to bat again. He eventually fell just after the new ball was taken, caught atsecond slipfor 52.

The final Test, played at theSydney Cricket Ground,saw England attempting to avoid a serieswhitewash.Key scored three runs in England's first innings, before falling lbw to an innocuous half-volley fromSteve Waugh,playing in his last Ashes Test.He scored 14 in his final innings of the tour, before being caught at midwicket, however England had nearly 350 runs on the board by that stage and were on track to complete a consolatory victory. The 2004 edition of theWisden Cricketers' Almanackrecorded that Key had "justified his selection ahead of an older player, likeMark Ramprakash,but did not cement his place ".

Zimbabwe and South Africa in England, 2003

See also:Zimbabwean cricket team in England in 2003

Despite a low-scoring start to the2003 English cricket season,in which he passed 40 only once in his first seven innings of the season,he kept his place in the Test side for the visit of the touringZimbabweans.Batting at number five in both Tests, Key failed to make much of an impact, scoring 18 runs in the first match and four in the second. He had reason to feel aggrieved at his first Test dismissal—umpireSteve Bucknorgave him out caught behind, despite Key not hitting the ball.

His inclusion in theOne Day International(ODI) squad for the followingNatWest Seriesagainst Zimbabwe andSouth Africaowed more to the lack of available players than his own form; he had only passed 40 on one occasion going into the series.Key made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tournament; he scored 11 before falling to the left-arm spin ofRay Price.Key only played one more match in the series; against South Africa he fell for agolden ducktaking a "wild swing" at the first ball he received fromMakhaya Ntini.Following England's qualification into the final of the tournament, Key was released from the squad "to have some match-practice in the longer form of the game ahead of the Test series" against South Africa.However, Key did not make an appearance in the series.

West Indies in England, 2004

See also:West Indian cricket team in England in 2004

Key returned to the Test match side after an excellent start to the2004 season.He reached 1,000 runs for the season by 2 June, the earliest date the milestone had been reached for 16 years, and had a run of five centuries in seven innings.However, his limited-overs form was not as good—he passed fifty only once all season.Despite this, he was called into the squad for the NatWest Series againstthe West IndiesandNew Zealand.

Key's series began with the fifth match of the tournament; against the West Indies atHeadingley.With England chasing 160 to win, Key came in at 55 for one, but scored just six before being bowled byDwayne Bravo.His only other appearance came against New Zealand towards the end of the group stage—Key scored 18 and was playing well before being caught behind.

His place in the Test side was ensured afterMark Butcherpulled out, having been hit from behind in his car and sustaining awhiplashinjury.Key took the opportunity, moving toward a maiden Test century with whatWisdendescribed as "powerful driving and pulling".He was dropped twice—Chris Gayleparried an opportunity with Key on 16, whileDevon Smithfailed to dismiss him when on 58.Key maintained his concentration throughout, even after meetingthe Queenin a presentation during the tea interval.He brought up his century with aboundaryoff the bowling ofFidel Edwards,and by the end of the first day had reached 167not out.He continued positively on the second day, and brought up his maiden double century with four through square leg offPedro Collins.He was eventually dismissed when he "slashed a wide ball toBrian Laraatbackward point",having made 221.In the second innings, he wasrun outby his captainMichael Vaughan,who went on to score his second century of the match.

The second Test saw Key struggling in thecorridor of uncertainty,a characteristic highlighted by Collins, who beat the bat on several occasions before finding the edge to dismiss him.His second innings lasted just seven balls before Key "chipped a simple catch tomid-on",having scored just four.

Key's most valuable innings, according toWisden,came in the third Test. Despite only scoring six runs in the first innings, Key came to the crease for his second innings with England requiring another 216 runs to take a 3–0 lead in the series. Initially batting with Michael Vaughan, and then withAndrew Flintoff,Key scored an unbeaten 93 to guide England to their target, which was a record fourth innings total to win anOld TraffordTest.His series came to an end when he scored ten runs, in England's ten-wicket victory in the final Test.

Key's performances in the series and his domestic form earned him recognition—he was named as one of the fiveWisden Cricketers of the Yearin the 2005 edition.

England in South Africa, 2004–05

Following on from his performances during the series against the West Indies, Key was taken on England's tour of South Africa over the English close-season. However, with Mark Butcher returning to the side following injury, Key lost his place. This was despite him scoring 87 in a warm-up game against aNicky Oppenheimer XI,a match in which Butcher had scored just six.Returning to the side for the third Test after Butcher had sustained a wrist injury, Key made a duck in the first innings, before "defending resolutely" in accumulating 41 before beingstumpedchargingNicky Boje.

The fourth Test, played atthe Wanderers,saw Key hit 83, in a partnership of 182 with Andrew Strauss thatWisdendescribed as including "hard-hitting support from Key".He added a further eighteen to his match tally in the second innings, a contribution which helped England to an eventual victory. Key returned single figure scores of one and nine in his two innings in the final Test, being dismissed byShaun Pollockon both occasions in a rain-affected draw.

ICC World Twenty20

Key briefly returned to international cricket for the2009 ICC World Twenty20competition, playing his onlyTwenty20 Internationalmatch against theNetherlandsduring the tournament as a replacement for the injuredKevin Pietersen.He scored 10not outfrom eight balls in a match where the Netherlands successfully chased their target from the final ball.

Career records and statistics

Test matches

Records:

• Lord's Cricket Groundsecond wicket partnership record: 291 withAndrew Strauss,2004 v West Indies
• Wanderers Stadiumsecond wicket partnership record: 182 with Andrew Strauss, 2004–05 v South Africa

Test centuries:

Robert Key's Test Centuries
	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	221	9	West Indies	London,England	Lord's Cricket Ground	2004

Career performances:

Statistics correct as of 20 June 2008. Source:Howstat.		Batting				Bowling
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High Score	100 / 50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best (Inns)
Australia	4	141	17.63	52	0 / 1	–	–	–	–
India	2	81	27.00	34	0 / 0	–	–	–	–
South Africa	3	153	25.50	83	0 / 1	–	–	–	–
West Indies	4	378	63.00	221	1 / 1	–	–	–	–
Zimbabwe	2	22	11.00	18	0 / 0	–	–	–	–

One Day Internationals

Career performances:

Statistics correct as of 20 June 2008. Source:Howstat.		Batting				Bowling
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High Score	100 / 50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best (Inns)
New Zealand	1	18	18.00	18	0 / 0	–	–	–	–
South Africa	1	0	0.00	0	0 / 0	–	–	–	–
West Indies	2	25	12.50	19	0 / 0	–	–	–	–
Zimbabwe	1	11	11.00	11	0 / 0	–	–	–	–

Career Best Performances

	Batting				Bowling (innings)
	Score	Fixture	Venue	Season	Figures	Fixture	Venue	Season
Test	221	EnglandvWest Indies	Lord's	2004	–
ODI	19	EnglandvWest Indies	Lord's	2004	–
T20I	10not out	EnglandvNetherlands	Lord's	2009	–
First-class	270not out	KentvGlamorgan	Cardiff	2009	2/31	KentvSomerset	Canterbury	2010
List A	144not out	KentvNetherlands	Tunbridge Wells	2013	–
T20	98not out	KentvSussex	Hove	2010	–

Director of England cricket team

On 17 April 2022, he was appointed as the managing director of the England men's cricket team, stepping down from all of his media commitments.He appointedBrendon McCullumas the coach of the Test Team, who instigated a more attacking form of play coined by the media as "Bazball".

External links

• Rob KeyatESPNcricinfo