ECB brings back Barney from hockey to replace Bobat

Brendon McCullum and Mo Bobat sit alongside each other on a bench

Ed Barney has been appointed to replace Mo Bobat as performance director for England’s men’s cricket.

He oversaw the pathway from age-group to senior men’s teams and played a role in selection.

Barney, who worked at the ECB between 2010 and 2013, returns after a stint with England and Great Britain Hockey.

There he started as head of talent development and became performance director in 2016.

During his time in the latter role, Great Britain’s women won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and England’s women took gold at the Commonwealth Games last year. England’s men also won European silver.

Director of England men’s cricket Rob Key said: “The men’s performance director is a vital role as we look to continually increase the depth of talent and prepare players for the rigours of international cricket.

“What is clear with Ed is that he has been able to do that at England and Great Britain Hockey, building world-class programmes that has left them in a better place than when he started, while his experience with the ECB makes him ready-made to build on the significant work we have already been doing.”

Barney, 41, whose previous job at the ECB was in talent identification, will start in the performance director role in March.