Smith's arrival is a timely boost for Scottish cricket

The appointment of Roddy Smith ends an eight-month search for a replacement for Zimbabwean Gwynne Jones.

"Although Cricket Scotland has made significant advances in recent times, there are many critical issues that will form the cornerstone of my work.

"In particular, we have to listen and learn from our members and partners and act together to move our sport forward," the 36-year-old said.

Prior to his departure, Jones was criticised for failing to bring enough money into the Scottish game.

And Smith, who played club cricket for Aberdeenshire and Grane and is also a member of MCC, said "ensuring financial stability" would be one of his main priorities.

He added: "I am looking forward enormously to my new role, one that will afford me the opportunity to combine significant professional experience gained in the governance and management of governing bodies, with the sport that I have been involved with all my life."

He arrives at the end of the difficult few months for Scottish cricket.

The national team failed to qualify for next month's ICC Champions Trophy despite leading the points table going into the final round of the matches at the qualifying tournament in Dubai.

The Scottish Saltires have also failed to make any advance in county cricket's Totesport League, winning just one of their 17 matches so far.

Cricket Scotland chairman Keith Oliver described Smith as a "safe, experienced pair of hands capable of driving Cricket Scotland and the sport forward in the months and years ahead."