Morris tipped to take ECB role

David Morgan's election as ICC president could pave the way for the first black chairman of a major sports governing body.

Morgan's departure will spark an election for his successor as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and former trades union leader Sir Bill Morris may be a candidate.

Morris is already an independent member of the ECB management board and it is understood he will be urged to stand for election as chairman.

If he agrees to do so, he is likely to be up against Surrey chairman Mike Soper and former Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss. Both Soper and Amiss are members of the ECB management board.

Morris would not confirm whether or not he intended to stand. He said: "We have an able and competent board, and any of the members would make an admirable successor to David Morgan, who will be a hard act to follow."

Morris, 68, was born in Jamaica and came to England as a 16-year-old. He led the T&G union from 1991 to 2003.

The ECB could hold an election later this year or at their AGM next May when Morgan is due to take over the reins at the ICC.