Bob Woolmer has been appointed to the new post of ICC High Performance Manager, helping Kenya, Canada, Holland and Namibia prepare for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. His 18-month contract begins in October and will cover the tournament. A stylish batsman for Kent and England in the 1970s, Woolmer, 53, coached South Africa with considerable success from 1994-95 to 1999, before returning to Warwickshire, where he had made his name by steering them to an unprecedented three trophies in a season in 1994. He will combine this new job with coaching Warwickshire, who have just gained promotion to the County Championship Division One.

ICC's Development Manager, Andrew Eade, said: "We could not have wished for a more suitable candidate. Bob knows first-hand what it is like to compete at a World Cup and how to prepare for the pressure that cricket at that level brings.

"He also has a genuine interest in fostering the game globally, and has many innovative ideas about how to bridge the gap between Associate and Full Member cricket."

The four countries have vastly different levels of experience in one-day internationals. Kenya, granted ODI status in 1999, have played in the last three World Cups, and hosted the 2000 ICC Knockout competition. Canada and Holland have each competed in one previous World Cup, while Namibia have no experience of senior ODI cricket.

Woolmer will visit each country before the end of the year to meet cricket board officials and design specific training in the run-up to the tournament. He said: "My main aim is to help these countries set up programmes that allow their players to improve their skill levels. That will involve working with coaches to help them maximise their potential."

Part of the preparation will include the Emerging Nations Tournament, to be held in Namibia in April 2002, when the four associate countries will face two A teams from Test-playing nations.

Camilla Rossiter is editorial assistant with Wisden.com.

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