Michael Vaughan , Alec Stewart and Andrew Strauss are three former captains bidding to lead England 's reform after Paul Downton was sacked as managing director . All three achieved a great deal while playing for England and are well-respected figures within the game . Sportsmail takes a closer look at the trio battling to become the most powerful man in English cricket . Alec Stewart ( Age 52 ) CURRENT JOB : Director of cricket at Surrey . SHOW US YOUR MEDALS : Played 133 Tests , more than any England cricketer . PLAYERS HE LIKES : Has established a rapport at Surrey with the out-of-favour Kevin Pietersen — says English cricket needs to be bold . REASON IT MIGHT HAPPEN : Stewart has added his name to the ring of potential candidates , and knows the job of director of cricket inside out . REASON IT MIGHT NOT : He ’ s only interested if there ’ s a clear line of accountability . May demand a say in selection . Alec Stewart during Surrey 's media day at The Oval ahead of the new county cricket season . Stewart is hoisted into the air on his team-mate 's shoulders after beating South Africa at The Oval in 2003 . Andrew Strauss ( Age 38 ) CURRENT JOB : Sky commentator . SHOW US YOUR MEDALS : Captained England to home-and-away Ashes triumphs . PLAYERS HE LIKES : A big fan of his former opening partner Alastair Cook , who he insists will score plenty of Test runs this summer . REASON IT MIGHT HAPPEN : Widely respected within English cricket for taking the team to the top of the Test rankings . REASON IT MIGHT NOT : Strauss is still in the early days of his career as a commentator – and is enjoying it . Andrew Strauss captained England to Ashes triumphs both home and away and now works for Sky Sports . Strauss in action for England at the 2011 Cricket World Cup against India in Bangalore . Michael Vaughan ( Age 40 ) CURRENT JOB : Broadcaster and columnist . SHOW US YOUR MEDALS : Famously led England to the 2005 Ashes — and 26 Test wins overall , a national record . PLAYERS HE LIKES : Joe Root is a particular favourite — he is next in line to replace Alastair Cook as Test captain . REASON IT MIGHT HAPPEN : Vaughan is interested in the job in principle , and is close to incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves . REASON IT MIGHT NOT : He may decide he ’ s enjoying his media career too much to risk entering firing line . Michael Vaughan led England to the famous 2005 Ashes win and 26 Test match victories in all . Vaughan now works in the media as an analyst for BBC Test Match Special and Channel 5 among others .
Three former captains in the frame to lead English cricket . Michael Vaughan was sacked as managing director on Wednesday . Paul Downton has emerged as a leading candidate for the role . Alec Stewart said he would consider taking up the position . Andrew Strauss is also well respected within the game of cricket .