Marcus North, a former Australian batter, has withdrawn from consideration to be England’s new managing director of men’s cricket due to family obligations.

The 42-year-old, who is presently Durham’s director of cricket, was said to be a frontrunner for the job, alongside ex-England hitter Rob Key.

Following England’s 4-0 Ashes defeat by Australia in February, the previous holder, Ashley Giles, resigned.

Since then, England has lost a three-Test series to the West Indies, 1-0.

They’re in limbo right now, with the permanent head coach position also open.

The new managing director is expected to have the final say on the coach, as well as a say in Joe Root’s future as Test captain.

Former captain Sir Andrew Strauss is presently serving as interim managing director, a position he held full-time from 2015 to 2018.

Strauss stated last month that he aimed to have both positions filled by the start of the summer series against New Zealand on June 2nd.

England has gone winless in their last nine Tests, has only won one of their last seventeen, and has now lost four consecutive Test series.

Key retired in 2015 and now works as a pundit and commentator.

Between 2002 and 2005, he played 15 Tests for England and had a long county cricket career with Kent.