The ICC has announced that Matthew Kennedy will take over as Global Development Manager from January. ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that Kennedy - currently the ICC's Regional Development Manager for the East-Asia Pacific region - was the outstanding candidate to emerge from a strong field for the crucial role:

"The ICC was in the fortunate position of having multiple applicants who were capable of taking on this important role but Matthew's credentials for this role are outstanding. He has a terrific background in establishing and delivering development programs through his current role with the ICC and before that with the Victorian Cricket Association in Australia. This is a critically important role for the growth of the game internationally and he will bring with him the operational understanding of development issues as well as the capacity to think strategically about continuing the impressive growth cricket has enjoyed around the world."

Matthew is looking forward to taking up the position: "Cricket is enjoying a period of significant growth with 89 countries now members of the ICC and this position will give me the chance to help shape the future development of the game around the world."