Manu Sawhney appointed as new ICC chief executive

He is the former managing director of ESPN Star Sports, and will join the organisation in February, before taking over from David Richardson in July after the World Cup

The ICC have announced the appointment of Manu Sawhney as their new chief executive.

Sawhney, who is the former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and managing director of ESPN Star Sports, will join the organisation in February, before taking over from David Richardson in July after the World Cup.

"It is a great privilege and responsibility to serve the global cricket community as CEO of the ICC. The sport has more than a billion fans and an ambitious growth strategy so it is a very exciting time to lead the organization," he said.

"I'd like to thank the ICC Board for giving me this opportunity and look forward to working with them, our Members, the team and ICC's incredible partners and cricketers around the world to propel the sport forward into a period of significant and sustained global growth in the coming years."

The ICC chairman Shashank Manohar added: "I am delighted to confirm Manu's appointment today.

"He brings 22 years of outstanding commercial experience to the ICC and will lead the delivery of our new global growth strategy for the game. Our search produced a host of excellent candidates from around the world, but Manu stood out as the man to work with our Members and take cricket forward.

"He has proven success in a number of leadership roles in both sport and broadcasting. He is a strategic thinker and understands the cricket landscape and its complexities."