Former New Zealand cricket team manager John Graham has been elected to the board of the Auckland Cricket Association.

The appointment was made at last night's annual general meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association.

Graham filled the berth left by Paul Lucas, who retired by rotation and did not seek re-election. Returning to the board after retiring by rotation was John Knowles, who is the acting media relations officer for New Zealand Cricket.

Graham's cricket connection is best remembered for the leadership he provided for the Black Caps after some tumultuous years of controversy. A firm disciplinarian, he instilled changed ethics both on and off the field to the national side.

He took up the job when coach Steve Rixon took over from Glenn Turner in 1996. They last toured together to England last year when New Zealand qualified for the World Cup semi-finals and beat England 2-1 in the Test series.

Graham, one of New Zealand's leading educationalists and a former headmaster of Auckland Grammar School, may have retired from teaching but has found himself targeted for a variety of new positions.

At the head of the list is his chairmanship of the New Zealand Government's Ministerial Task Force reviewing Sport, Fitness and Recreation, a wholesale look into the shape of sport and its administration in New Zealand.

He is also the chancellor of the University of Auckland and wearing his former All Black rugby captain's hat, he is the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and was a member of the committee which selected Wayne Smith as this year's All Black coach.

Graham also holds a number of directorships in various areas of education.

Knowles is a former Canterbury Cricket Association chairman, and was deputy chairman of the Otago Cricket Association. He was formerly director of resources, and sport and special events for Television New Zealand.

© CricInfo