Darren Gow asked to appoint Marcus North as England selector

Darren Gough has questioned the appointment of Marcus North as England’s new selector, saying the Australian’s arrival will divide the national team more than the domestic game.

Former England fast bowler Gough, who has been Durham’s director of cricket since 2018, has been interviewed for the role of national selector by Northern Los Angeles.

England have been criticized for the disconnect between the national set-up and the county game.

And North, who has played 21 Tests for Australia, joins England head coach and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum on the selection panel.

“It’s a tough role because there’s a lot of maintenance to do,” Gough told the Stick to Cricket podcast.

“They’re saying they’re trying to bring England cricket and county cricket together – I don’t think so because we’ve got a Kiwi coach and now we’ve got an Australian selector.

“I don’t think that’s brought the game closer to the county game. I think there’s a big, big maintenance job there.”

England’s selection panel includes director of cricket Rob Key, captains Ben Stokes and Harry Brooke, head of player identification David Court and performance director Ed Barney.

The 46-year-old has played North County cricket for six different teams, has an English wife and worked for South Northumberland in the club game before taking over at Durham.

Speaking last week, Durham head coach Ryan Campbell – also an Australian – said North was “as English as any Australian can be”.

“England Cricket has made an incredibly good choice,” Campbell told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

“He will test Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Keane and ask the right questions. He will be unbelievable.”