Key (left) was kept in his position despite the Ashes defeat following the review by Gould (right). Former captain Michael Vaughan says it is "ridiculous" England are yet to appoint their new national selector.

The process to name the successor to Luke Wright, who announced he was stepping down on 22 January and left after the T20 World Cup concluded in March, has reached the final stages, with interviews for the position held this week.

There have already been four rounds of action in the County Championship and England are set to name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand in two weeks' time.

"It's ridiculous how they're announcing a selector so late," Vaughan said on the Stick to Cricket podcast. "I wanted the selector there on 1 April, going out, having a look, gathering information."

"Luke Wright quit at the back end of Australia. We knew didn't we? It's a long time, four months, to find someone."

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould led a review into the men's national set-up after this winter's 4-1 Ashes defeat by Australia. It concluded shortly after the T20 World Cup, with managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum retained, and the job advert was published for the selector role on 18 March. Applications remained open until 17 April.

In the meantime, the ECB's network of scouts who cover the domestic game have remained in place. A new county insight group, made up of a panel of county coaches along with figures at the ECB, was also created after the Ashes review.

Former England bowlers Steven Finn and Darren Gough are among those to have been linked to the selectors job. The successful applicant will be involved throughout England's player identification structure.

The role will include being consulted on the final XI for a Test or white-ball internationals, selection of senior and Lions squads, liaising with counties and leading the team of scouts.

About 80 candidates submitted applications for the job.

Get cricket news sent straight to your phone.