Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Chairman Denis Rogers, speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, said today that while the Board was disappointed to be losing Chief Executive Malcolm Speed to the International Cricket Council (ICC), it regarded his appointment as due recognition of his sports administration skills and an honour for Australian cricket.

Malcolm Speed

Mr Rogers strongly supported Mr Speed's move to the ICC saying that his performance with the ACB had been outstanding.

"During his time with the Australian Cricket Board, Malcolm has consistently demonstrated his capacity to deal with complex and challenging issues," Mr Rogers said.

"He has taken the administration of the game in Australia to a new level with the implementation of the ACB's first strategic plan, his capacity to resolve difficult issues such as the player pay dispute and his handling of the recent corruption issue.

"He has also demonstrated a willingness to innovate with initiatives such as Super Challenge 2000, while always respecting the quality and spirit of the game with celebrations such as the Sir Donald Bradman Oration implemented during his administration.

"Most importantly, he ensured that he fulfilled with distinction his role as Chief Executive of the organisation that is one of the trustees of the great game of cricket.

"I have known for some time that the ICC has been talking to him about taking over as its Chief Executive and believe that at a time when the international game is seeking strong and powerful leadership, his appointment is ideal.

"He will leave the ACB with our strong support for his new role but more importantly he will leave the ACB a stronger, more strategic and more dynamic organisation than when he joined."

About the appointment, Mr Speed said:

"There are many exciting challenges facing international cricket at this time and I am honoured to have been chosen to take the ICC forward.

"It is disappointing to leave the Australian Cricket Board at this point in time. Australian cricket is healthy on and off the field, but there are many things I would have liked to have seen through to their conclusion.

"Nevertheless, I am looking forward to working with all cricket nations to make the International Cricket Council a stronger world sporting body."

It is expected that Mr Speed will remain with the ACB until later in the year, before leaving the organisation to prepare for his move to London to join the ICC.

ICC President Malcolm Gray

Mr Rogers confirmed that all ACB Directors had been advised of Mr Speed's appointment and that a strategy to replace him is in place and will be discussed further at the next ACB Board Meeting in Melbourne on 30 March 2001.

ICC President Malcolm Gray announced in India earlier today that Mr Speed has been selected to take over as Chief Executive of the ICC following a worldwide search by international executive recruitment agency Russell Reynolds Associates.

© 2001 Australian Cricket Board

		Results - Forthcoming Desktop Scoreboard

Site Map | RSS feeds | Link to us | Help & feedback | Contact us | About us | Advertise | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Cricinfo 2009 Cricinfo is part of ESPN ESPN - Soccernet - Scrum - F1-live - Scorecenter