The Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Lord MacLaurin, has given the clearest indication yet that he intends to seek re-election to the post later this year. Speaking at the ECB's Annual General Meeting at Trent Bridge this morning, Lord MacLaurin, 65, indicated that he is keen to serve another term, provided the county boards will subscribe to his plans for the future.

During his Chairmanship Lord MacLaurin has overseen the introduction of central England contracts and a two-division County Championship. While accepting that England are not yet a world-beating team, he spoke highly of the efforts of the coach, Duncan Fletcher, and the captain, Nasser Hussain, to make the side a more competitive force over the past two years.

He confirmed his intention to write a letter to each of the county chairmen over the next two days, explaining his plans for the future.

"I believe we are on the cusp of achieving further great things for cricket," he said. "I have thought long and hard about my own role in continuing to move the game forward, and know that I have the experience and determination to drive the ECB to the next stage of its development.

"Someone asked me recently whether I thought I had finished the job. My answer was an unequivocal `no'. There is still a great deal to be done. Still a great need for cricket to change and modernise in a number of areas."

Lord MacLaurin, who has been ECB Chairman since its inception five years ago, had previously stated that he would not offer himself for re-election in the face of any external challenge. Earlier this year the Surrey Chairman, Mike Soper, indicated his intention to stand for the post.

"We need a governance structure at the ECB that involves less convoluted decision-making and more empowered leadership," he said.

"What this means in practice is that we need a slimmed-down, re-configured and more empowered ECB management board that - in the same way as a public company - reports twice yearly to all of our shareholders.

"I believe we need to cut down the ECB's cumbersome committee structure as part of making ourselves more efficient and professional. It is both expensive and overly bureaucratic. If we do it, there could be about £200,000 worth of savings a year to be realised."

© CricInfo Ltd.