ECB begin extensive search for Colin Graves' successor

Cricket's governors advertise for a new chairman with "strong business and commercial intellect" and outline extensive recruitment process

The England and Wales Cricket Board have kick-started their search for a successor to chairman Colin Graves by advertising publicly for his replacement.

Graves will officially step down in November 2020 after successfully earning a six-month extension to his tenure until after the end of next season.

The measure was to ensure the 71-year-old could oversee the launch of The Hundred, which joins the three other existing formats next summer.

Nevertheless, the ECB have begun the process of recruiting his heir, who they want in place by the middle of next year to ensure he or she can shadow Graves towards the end of his premiership.

A 14-page document has been publishing outlining the ideal candidate and the extensive recruitment process.

Central to the role is delivering the ECB's Inspiring Generations strategy, a five-year plan to grow the game which begins in 2020.

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Among the other characteristics required of the new incumbent, "strong business and commercial intellect" and "ability to challenge assumptions" are the priorities.

A prospective candidate must also provide leadership in what is described as a "complex stakeholder environment". The current ECB board includes the chairman of all 18 first-class counties and 21 non-first class counties, among others.

The successful candidate will be paid £150,000-per-year but will only have to be available for between two and three days a week.

Board recruitment specialists Odgers Berndtson will lead the process, staging a series of phone interviews with selected individuals who apply.

Face-to-face meetings will then be staged to whittle down the shortlist, which will then be passed on to the ECB. They will then meet with potential candidates to determine the successful applicant.

Following a spell as executive chairman of Yorkshire, Graves joined the ECB as deputy chair in 2013 and was promoted two years later.