By Oliver Brett BBC Sport Online

Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, 65, joined the England and Wales Cricket Board as its chairman on its creation in 1997.

The ECB was set up to take English cricket out of the dark ages it had endured under the much-maligned Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB).

In short, MacLaurin's task was to make the game more modern.

Here BBC Sport Online looks at his principal achievements as England cricket chief.

Central contracts and the improved England team structure

Prior to 1997, the England team had a fairly chaotic structure. Individual managers were selected for individual tours and coaching was done very much on an ad hoc basis.

Now, the coach and captain are directly involved in selecting the players and can draw on the services of various coaches in permanent positions.

Central contracts - a system more or less copied from the Australian school of thought - have meant England players stay fresher for longer.

Verdict: Helps players establish themselves

Establishing the Academy

Again, this was another case of 'what's good for the Aussies must be good for us.'

The A-team tours are no longer. After the rigorous regime endured by young proteges in Adelaide last winter, Simon Jones has become the Academy's first graduate to play in Tests.

This winter, the Academy will also visit Adelaide before it establishes its permanent base at Loughborough University.

Verdict: Too early to judge the success of this

Making county cricket more competitive

For years, 18 counties played each other day in, day out, most of them having nothing to play for for three-quarters of the season.

Now, with relegation and promotion in both the one-day and four-day leagues, the domestic game has a much harder edge.

Verdict: Still too much domestic cricket

Re-defining the England summer

England can now play seven Test matches and a triangular one-day series every summer.

Previously, there were five or six Tests, and only three one-day internationals - which often left England's one-day team ill-prepared for World Cups.

Verdict: Good deal for fans

Television revenue and other income streams

MacLaurin was the first genuine businessman to get involved in English cricket. His acumen meant he was able to secure a three-year TV contract worth GBP147 million.

Cricket has secured GBP80 million from the Lottery, with more successful applications for funding than any other sport.

Verdict: MacLaurin's city background helped

Final thoughts

Not all is rosy in the English cricket garden. There are strong feelings in many quarters that the level of play in county cricket is still well below where it should be.

Meanwhile, MacLaurin has tried to create a more streamlined decision-making process.