The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Bob Woolmer as their High Performance Manager.

The ICC has entrusted him with helping Canada, the Netherlands, Kenya and Namibia prepare for the 2003 World Cup, which takes place in South Africa.

The former South Africa coach is regarded as one of the world's best one-day coaches.

His new role will run from October until the competition begins, in February 2003.

An ICC statement said: "In his new role Woolmer will work closely with countries with different levels of exposure to one-day cricket."

An ICC spokesman confirmed to BBC Sport Online that Woolmer's commitments with world cricket's ruling body would not affect his role as coach of Warwickshire.