England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "Incredible really. Him coming in and doing what he did with the bat - that is what this summer has given us.

"I don't think Gus knew what he could do. We thought in time he could be a really good number eight. When you give talent the opportunity they surprise us."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, speaking about Ben Stokes signing a one-year deal: "Ben is absolutely committed to English cricket. now he is injured he thinks about it even more.

"We changed the way we did it and offered deals out of cycle. The big negotiation is now. Ben felt he wasn't sure what that would look like. I have no concerns at all about his commitment to English cricket."

On the Stokes injury:

It has presented an opportunity to other people. it has been a good summer to see what happens if Ben Stokes get injured. We had a decision to make - do we go for like to like where there is no obvious like for like. Or do you go with three seamers, one spinner, or do you go with six batsmen and the bowling.

"It has been an interesting summer. That is why he is so valuable to English cricket."

Toby

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, on whether international cricket is secure: "First thing the countries have to focus on is to make sure they are producing talent. There is a stand off. No one wants to give in. You need to get to the point, for the schedule to work, where everyone gives a bit. It might be a little less 50-over cricket for example.

"People need to come up with system where Test cricket can be played at a certain time. So you know when everything is. Everyone has to get together to start working out how to do that and what they are prepared to sacrifice."

Is there an appetite for The Hundred?

"If you add a month of cricket to the season it will disrupt. People are against the Hundred and say the Hundred's not willing to sacrifice anything and vice versa.

"I come to a game and do see young families enjoying the cricket. Only in England do we see that audience and think we should have less of that. I have kids, they don't watch television. They are on their phones. It is a very different world and we need to make sure you have the next generation in love with the game."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "Any central contract is generous. There are not many people who know who contracts work. They think every contract is the same. Not at all. Each of the contracts serve many different purposes.

"There are a few long term bets - Rehan Ahmed, Potts, Atkinson, Brydon Carse. Their contracts not that much more than their county contract. But we are saying for the next couple of years that you are some of the longer term bets and have the resources of the ECB at your disposal. Some of those guys could go play in SA20, but play Lions cricket. Lions cricket you get paid a cup or tea and biscuit.

"I get so many franchise owners ringing me about SA20 or IL20, saying is so and so available for this or are playing Champions Trophy or the series before in India. We have those players on contracts and they have no choice.

"You always want to value Test cricket. That is another purpose it serves. There is no doubt we will have to finesse it. We are going into new broadcast cycles next year."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, speaking about the difference between now and when he played: "The biggest difference is we came through when England was only game in town - and for you [Jonathan Agnew] Test cricket.

"Now that has changed. Test cricket was the only option. Most young players will still say Test cricket is what I want to do, even the white ball guys, but the biggest difference is that if that doesn't work after two years you can go down another route - the franchise route - and take half a million a year by doing it.

"It is a very different world. Before was all or nothing England, now all or nothing England until it gets a bit hard."

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at The Oval

More covers have come on, one at each end for the run-ups, to go with the big sheet on the square. It's not raining. Most spectators are still in their seats. It is, to say the least, frustrating.

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "It is not data we pick on. Data narrows the field. You can see the speeds everyone bowls. Then you use the intuition.

"Luke Wright has been fantastic. He has had such a big impact. he is the one watching these guys in county cricket. He is speaking to them. I tell him not to be the person who says you are in or out but to say you are playing well, so it is not so transactional.

"There is so much talk about cricket and where it is going. As long as countries are producing talent the game is in good order. Then it is a scheduling issue. Take someone like the West Indies, their bowling attack or Nicholas Pooran, look at the talent they have coming through there, you need to stop the barriers to entry. You have to change the way we think about making selections.

"As long as you country is producing the talent it will be in good order. Then you need to sort the schedule. We talk so negatively about the game but the amount of talent around the world is incredible."

Image source, Getty Images

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "When Josh Hull played in the Lions game he was one of the picks of the bowlers. Left-arm, quick, and he will vary at this part of his career. There might be a spell at 80mph, then 85mph and then 90 because he doesn't understand his action. The ceiling is very high for him.

"Making your international debut is never easy but this could be a great time. You come in as the fourth seamer and you can set the field accordingly and see someone with such potential start that journey. There is so much upside to Josh Hull.

"Even if it doesn't go well that is not the end. Sometimes you need to go through struggle to understand what the level is. It is no bad thing to tell young, talented people this is the level. It is not your county teammates, it is about being Pat Cummins, James Anderson, Stuart Broad. That is the mark. Especially when you come from a smaller county, England can seem a long way away."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, speaking on whether county players are getting annoyed with their selection policy: "You can say we are opening up the opportunity and aren't only picking the people at the top of the averages. You want the identity of your team to be very apparent.

"If you are a young quick bowler but a bit erratic they might think there is a good opportunity here. County cricket has over-indexed on medium-paced bowling. That is very successful in county cricket, less so in international cricket. What we are doing is opening it up for everyone."

Image source, Getty Images

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "Our job is to win games of cricket and pick the best team possible for England. Jamie Smith, we knew he was a good player. I had been on the Lions tour two years ago, straight away there were two players there - Josh Tongue and Jamie Smith.

"Stats can inform the debate but not make it for you. You saw someone and thought this player is going to brilliant. I don't know about keeping, but you speak to guys that do and say there is enough here, let's go with it. Smith was in such good form you felt he had a good chance of success.

"It is not that we disregard county cricket. it's that is doesn't define how we are going to make those selections."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, speaking on whether James Anderson is a coach for the future: "There was great moment at Lord's where you saw Josh Hull bowling in the middle and Jimmy standing at the top of his mark. You think how good this is - all of that knowledge, you don't want to lose. Then he is able to pass it on.

"Jimmy is not always the most outgoing. He has really taken to it. You felt with Jimmy, for him to be a coach, you make the running with these people.

"Some of these have not known life without James Anderson opening the bowling for England. if you can, without being forceful, make the running and just say well bowled. Even Mark Wood when he comes in at lunch. That can have such an impact. A coach's job is to make people feel confident. Someone like James Anderson, him telling you something will carry more weight. He seems to be loving it.

"It would be great to have Jimmy in Pakistan, the same in New Zealand and who knows going forward. Jimmy has a few itches to scratch along the way but it is great to have him involved with us."

Image source, Getty Images

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "You don't take anything for granted but it wasn't an easy decision on Jimmy Anderson. You just felt we needed our next evolution of the team, building a new bowling attack was something that was really exciting. That is across all formats as well. Then you start seeing the opportunity.

"You never know if Gus Atkinson will come in and do what he has done, but you pick with an optimal view and a lens of where can they get to. We think they are really good at this point, but if they develop in the way we think they can they will be exciting for some time. That is what has been pleasing. it is not the winning. It is seeing Jamie Smith come in and play as he has done."

Image source, Getty Images

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "I don't think any of us have thought about when it will end. We just take every moment as it comes. Ben will do something for as long as he is enjoying it and feeling like he is valued in the role.

"He's the player who impacts everything by being there and balances the team, then you add the presence he brings, but as a captain he is is worth his weight in gold. He loves that job like Brendon. They are such a good partnership.

"I don't think they think about when it will end. They just enjoy the ride. They are determined to enjoy every minute. Yes, they have hard times but don't look too far ahead in terms of when they are going to finish."

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "He constantly walks around saying 'What a gig'.

"Even if it is not going well - that is when he loves it even more. When you are 2-0 down in the Ashes that is when he goes to work. When you fail you earn your money. That is when Brendon and Ben Stokes come to the fore. They double down and say this is how we are going to do it.

"When things are chaos, as things can be, you look to the leaders to look like they are in control. Both of them are outstanding leaders. Brendon is so bright. He knows the right things to say - whether at a BBQ or after a net. He will subtly nudge you in the right direction with subliminal messaging."

Image source, Getty Images

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special: "When I came to the conclusion that Motty had to move on, I made a point of thinking that I am not going to give this much thought until that decision was done and Matthew Mott has been told. It was on my way back that when you really start thinking about who is the person to do this job.

"I chat to Brendon most days and I said 'You don't fancy this, do you?' He said he'd have look at the schedule and have a think about it. I thought that was interesting.

"Baz makes decisions and is fully committed. Assistant coaches had said 'Do you not fancy this?' He came back a day or so later and said he'd explore it.

"Two years ago when he came into the job he couldn't have done this job. The series overlapped. When you start looking forward in the schedule you think this can work. Now it is about being smart with the coaches and like the players making sure they don't end with burnout because they are travelling. I dont think that will be an issue.

"There will be opportunity for Tres [Marcus Trescothick] or Coll [Paul Collingwood] or whoever it is. Then you are doing a bit for coach development. There are so many plusses but the big thing is life is simple - you get the best people for the job. I think he is the best."

Rob

England managing director Rob Key on Test Match Special, speaking about the forthcoming tour of Pakistan where there have been stories about a change of venues: "We are no different. We have our operations team, people waiting to book flights. I have heard Sri Lanka and South Africa. I don't think it will be there personally. There are rumours flying around.

"My guess is we will end in Multan. None of this is a security issue. I think they are trying to get grounds ready for the Champions Trophy and they are not as far ahead as they think. My guess is we will be in Pakistan - but that is a guess."

Sam, Haddington