Richardson set to be new ICC chief executive

CRICKET: DUBAI, May 12 (AFP) - Former Test wicketkeeper David Richardson is set to succeed fellow South African Haroon Lorgat as the new chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body announced Thursday.

Richardson's name will go forward for approval by the ICC annual conference at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur in June 28 after being chosen by the ICC board.

He was one of four candidates, believed to have included England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive David Collier, who were interviewed for the post in Mumbai last weekend.

If confirmed, Richardson's appointment would be ground-breaking for two reasons: he would be the first former international cricketer to hold the post of ICC chief executive since its creation in 1993 and the first to be already working for world cricket's governing body.

Johannesburg-born Richardson, 52, a qualified lawyer, has been the ICC's general manager for cricket for the last 10 years having previously represented South Africa in 42 Tests and 122 one-day internationals.

"It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC," Richardson said in a statement issued from its Dubai headquarters. "I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC board for their approval.