Marsh at the site of the new global academy

Marsh has been appointed Director of Coaching by the ICC after four years in charge of England's young cricketers.

"It's a natural progression for me in as much as I've been at the Australian academy, I've set up the Indian academy and the English academy.

"My ultimate aim would be to increase the standard of the game worldwide," Marsh told BBC Five Live.

The 57-year-old will spend 100 days per year in Dubai, where the ICC recently re-located after being based at Lord's for 96 years.

He will eventually be based at Dubai Sports City, which will include a 30,000 capacity stadium and three other cricket grounds as well as training and practice facilities. The complex is due for completion in 2007.

MARSH'S PLAYING CAREER 96 Tests 343 catches, 12 stumpings, 3,633 runs, 3x100 92 ODIs 120 catches, 4 stumpings, 1,225 runs

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said Marsh's "rich experience" as a player and coach would make him an "invaluable asset" to the project.

The facilities will be available to international teams at all levels in both men's and women's cricket, and will also be used to help train coaches, umpires and groundsmen.

"I am looking forward to working with players ands coaches from around the world and, if we get this right, I believe it has termendous potential to help a wide range of cricketers," Marsh added.

The Dubai Sports City development will cover an area of 50m square feet and will also be a centre of excellence for other sports, including football, tennis and golf.

A Manchester United Soccer School and David Lloyd tennis academy have also been confirmed as part of the project.