Hugh Morris to leave role as managing director of ECB

Morris to return to former county Glamorgan

Hugh Morris (GETTY IMAGES)

Hugh Morris is to leave his role as managing director of cricket with the England and Wales Cricket Board and return to former county Glamorgan, the governing body has announced.

Morris, who was installed in the aftermath of England's 5-0 Test defeat in Australia in 2006/07, has overseen three consecutive Ashes wins in the role.

He has accepted the combined position of chief executive and director of cricket with the county he captained as a player, but it is understood he will remain with the ECB until the conclusion is this winter's Ashes Down Under.

Alan Hamer, Glamorgan's current chief executive, confirmed his own departure on Sunday.

The ECB has started its recruitment process but there are two very prominent names already linked with the role.

Team director Andy Flower was reported on Sunday to be ready to step down from his day-to-day involvement with the side and it would be a huge coup for the ECB to keep him involved with England's long-term strategy.

Former England captain Andrew Strauss has also been mooted for the role, though, and is not thought to covet a career in the media despite working for Sky television this summer.

Morris said: "I am very grateful to the committee of Glamorgan for providing me with this opportunity and a new and exciting challenge at this stage of my career. I am grateful to the ECB and England cricket for their support in the last 16 years.

"I really enjoyed my time as a player with Glamorgan and now my task, which I will take on with relish, is to work with everyone at the club to increase our talent pool - particularly from Wales."

Barry O'Brien, the Glamorgan chairman, said: "We are delighted to have been able to appoint a person with the calibre of Hugh Morris who has achieved so much as managing director of England cricket.

"Hugh is also steeped in Glamorgan history having been appointed as our youngest ever captain in 1986 and during his second term as captain he led the county to the Sunday League title in 1993.

"He was also one of our most reliable and prolific batsman scoring almost 20,000 first-class runs at an average of more than 40, but in addition to being a very fine player he has demonstrated in his many roles at the ECB that he is also an administrator of the highest ability."

PA