Martin Snedden was today named as New Zealand Cricket's chief executive.

Snedden, who has been serving on the board of NZC in recent years, replaces Christopher Doig, who resigned in February.

NZC chairman Sir John Anderson said when announcing Snedden's appointment today: "Martin Snedden is an excellent appointment for New Zealand Cricket. He brings sound corporate judgement and commercial acumen from his partnership in a successful law firm, but also has an in-depth knowledge and passion for the game from his participation at the highest level."

The 42-year-old lawyer is a former New Zealand representative and when lining up at international forums with other CEO's he will have the rare distinction, in that company, of having played the game at its highest levels.

That should allow Snedden to maintain New Zealand's high reputation in international circles after the work done by Doig and Anderson for the International Cricket Council.

Snedden, a medium-pace bowler who was part of New Zealand's most successful era during the 1980s, played 25 Tests and 93 One-Day Internationals.

During his career he took 114 ODI wickets and 58 Test wickets.

After retiring from all cricket after New Zealand's tour of England in 1990, Snedden served on the New Zealand Cricket Council but did not seek re-election in 1992. He returned to administration when invited to join the board of the revamped New Zealand Cricket.

His career-best Test figures were achieved in New Zealand's memorable 1986/87 victory over the West Indies at Lancaster Park.

Snedden took five for 86 in the West Indies second innings, including the wicket of the side's batting legend and captain Viv Richards. New Zealand won the Test by five wickets to tie the series and allowing itself to finish the 1980s unbeaten in Test series at home.

In his last season of Test cricket, Snedden's ability to hang around at the batting crease was twice demonstrated.

During one of Test cricket's great innings of defiance, played by Mark Greatbatch against Australia in Perth, Snedden batted for 202 minutes and 142 balls to be unbeaten on 33 at the end, New Zealand having saved the game. Greatbatch was 146 not out.

Then in the return Test played at the Basin Reserve, Snedden, who was sent in as nightwatchman by skipper John Wright, went close to breaking the world record for the longest time without scoring in a Test match when he stayed on six for 94 minutes. New Zealand won that Test by nine wickets.

He is the grandson of a former New Zealand captain Nessie Snedden and his uncle Colin Snedden also played a Test for New Zealand.

Snedden has a law degree from the University of Otago and has devoted his working life to the family firm, first as a solicitor and for the past 11 years as a partner of Snedden & Associates.

He has twice been a member of the New Zealand Cricket Board, from 1990-1992 and since 1999. He was co-opted onto the Hood Committee which reviewed the governance and structure of New Zealand Cricket in 1995. He has also been an Auckland Cricket representative on the Eden Park Board of Control 1993-1996.

Snedden is married to Anne and has four children, Lucy (13), Stephanie (11), Michael (8), and Ella (6).

Snedden will take up the Christchurch-based position on July 30. He will remain a member of the New Zealand Cricket Board until that date. A replacement member of the Board will be elected at the annual general meeting in September.

© CricInfo