According to multiple reports, North will have the final say on squads, a role more akin to Ed Smith's selector role from 2018 to 2021. He will head a selection panel that includes Rob Key, Brendon McCullum, and the relevant captain—Ben Stokes for Tests and Harry Brook for white-ball cricket. The ECB has not commented on the appointment.
North is expected to be in place to select the squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting on 4 June. A key priority for the selection panel is finding a new Test opener to replace Zak Crawley. Emilio Gay and James Rew are reported to be leading contenders for the role.
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes is set to return to action for Durham against Worcestershire in the County Championship, and Harry Brook is set to play for Yorkshire against Warwickshire. Around 80 candidates applied for the selector job, according to reports. North, who played 21 Tests for Australia, brings extensive experience from his playing career and his administrative role at Durham.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as England look to rebuild after the Ashes disappointment. The selection panel will also be tasked with balancing the return of key players like Stokes and Brook, who are expected to feature in the County Championship before the international summer begins. The new selector's immediate focus will be on the Test series against New Zealand, with the squad announcement anticipated shortly after North assumes his role.