Lamb to leave after eight years at ECB

Tim Lamb yesterday confirmed that he will stand down from his position as chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board. After almost eight years in the job Lamb feels that he has taken the ECB as far as he can and that the time is right to hand over the reins to someone else. The 51-year-old will, however, continue working at Lord's until 30 September.

The personable and hard-working Lamb has been heavily criticised for the way in which the ECB has handled several issues. Zimbabwe has been the ECB's most high-profile problem but Lamb's indifferent approach to domestic cricket has also created a rift between himself and the county chairmen.

"I am very proud of the Board's many and varied achievements since I became chief executive," Lamb said. "It is a high-intensity role that has demanded my total focus and commitment ... Sometimes if you are not careful, the job can take over your life completely, and inevitably there have been sacrifices that have been needed to be made from both a personal and a family point of view. I think now is the time to stand aside before I risk losing any of my motivation and enthusiasm."