BBC SPORT | Cricket | Morgan to lead ECB

Welshman David Morgan has been confirmed as the next chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Morgan will take over in January from Lord MacLaurin, who is stepping down after six years.

Cricket has a huge future and I look forward to playing my own small part in delivering this

David Morgan

"It is a great privilege to be elected as the new Chairman of the ECB and to have received the backing of its 39 members.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to play a major role within cricket's national governing body, and to help plan the sport's future.

Profile: Morgan the moderate

"I fully intend to provide firm leadership for the game, but I have a natural consultative style and will always be receptive to listening to, if not always embracing, the views of others," he said.

Morgan, a former chairman of Glamorgan, beat rival candidate Mike Soper by 11 votes to eight in a ballot of First-Class Forum (FCF) members last month.

Morgan's manifesto

To build on the progress of recent years

To extend the central contract system

To win the "affection" of the counties

But they are now likely to form a partnership at the helm of English cricket with Soper deciding to stand for election as Morgan's deputy and chairman of the FCF.

"Since David Morgan's election, we have spoken about the position, which he leaves vacant and he is very supportive towards me gaining this post.

"Many County Chairman have rung me pledging their commitment and I feel I would be able to contribute in a very real way by leading the First Class Counties forward in the challenging times ahead," Soper commented.

MacLaurin decided to give up the ECB chairmanship because of business commitments.

Lord MacLaurin
MacLaurin has helped revive English cricket

During his tenure, a number of important initiatives were introduced.

They included central contracts for England players, the establishment of a National Academy and two divisions in the County Championship and one-day league.

Morgan added: "There is much to celebrate, but still much more to be achieved.

"Cricket is very much the national summer sport and we must ensure it remains so.

"We have no automatic right to occupy this position, and will continue to be innovative, progressive and inclusive in the way we manage and develop the sport.

"My priorities for the future will revolve around continuing the support for the England team; helping to build on the many strengths of First Class county cricket and ensuring that the grassroots of the game continue to be encouraged."


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