England cricket has seen a few changes in the recent past with former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum taking over the job of head coach of England’s men’s Test team and Australian women’s head coach Matthew Mott being appointed as the head coach of England’s men’s cricket team for the limited-overs.
The latest development has been at the administrative level as the CEO of the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) Tom Harrison decided to step down from his position in June. Clare Connor, a former England cricketer and President of the MCC will take on the job in the interim till a long-term successor is appointed. Connor is also the managing director of women’s cricket in the ECB.
Tom Harrison said, “The past two years have been incredibly challenging but we have pulled together to get through the pandemic, overcome cricket’s biggest financial crisis, and committed to tackling discrimination and continuing the journey towards becoming the inclusive, welcoming sport we strive to be. I have put everything into this role, but I believe now is the right time to bring in fresh energy to continue this work.”
Harrison, a former county cricketer in England who represented Northamptonshire and Derbyshire, was appointed as the ECB CEO in January 2015. Before taking on this role, he was the head of marketing between 2003 and 2006 in the ECB.
The change of guard in the ECB is another example of the changes that England men’s cricket is undergoing at the moment. It started with ECB chair Ian Watmore resigning from his post last October after an overhaul that has seen men’s director of cricket Ashley Giles. After England’s 0-4 loss to Australia in the five-match Ashes Test series, head coach Chris Silverwood and Test captain Joe Root were replaced. Under Silverwood, England won just one out of the 14 Test matches.
Starting from June, Connor will take the office of ECB CEO for an interim period. It is expected that with her experience as a player and administrator over the years, she will be able to calm the turbulent seas of England cricket.
The quotes are sourced from Sky Sports
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.