Richardson set to be new ICC chief executive

DUBAI: Former Test wicketkeeper David Richardson is set to succeed fellow South African Haroon Lorgat as the new chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body announced Thursday.

Richardson’s name will go forward for approval by the ICC annual conference at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur in June 28 after being chosen by the ICC board.

He was one of four candidates, believed to have included England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive David Collier, who were interviewed for the post in Mumbai last weekend.

If confirmed, Richardson’s appointment would be ground-breaking for two reasons: he would be the first former international cricketer to hold the post of ICC chief executive since its creation in 1993 and the first to be already working for world cricket’s governing body.

Johannesburg-born Richardson, 52, a qualified lawyer, has been the ICC’s general manager for cricket for the last 10 years having previously represented South Africa in 42 Tests and 122 one-day internationals.

“It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC,”Richardson said in a statement issued from its Dubai headquarters.

“I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC board for their approval.

“It has been a privilege to serve as ICC general manager-cricket, and that work will continue until such time as the ICC annual conference ratifies my nomination. I am looking forward to working closely with all the membership and stakeholders in the game.

“It is an honour to be following a fellow South African, Haroon Lorgat, in this role. I have learnt a lot under his leadership and thank him for his support in the last four years.”

ICC vice-president Alan Isaac, who led the search for Lorgat’s successor, said Richardson would provide “continuity”.

“David Richardson was an outstanding candidate who not only had important knowledge of the ICC administration, its staff and its operations but also has unquestioned cricketing knowledge having represented his country so admirably,” Isaac said.

“His appointment will provide continuity and a smooth transition after Haroon Lorgat steps down after ICC annual conference in Kuala Lumpur at the end of June,” the New Zealander added.

“I would like to put on record my appreciation for Haroon and what he and the ICC staff have achieved in the last four years.”

Richardson is now in line to become the fourth ICC chief executive, with Lorgat having followed the Australian duo of David Richards (1993-2001) and Malcolm Speed (2001-2008).