ECB to appoint Surrey supremo Thompson as new chair
THE ECB’s long search for a new chair has ended with the appointment of the experienced richard Thompson. Alongside richard Gould, Thompson masterminded Surrey’s rise to become the biggest and most successful county in english domestic cricket.
And he decided earlier this summer to swap his role as chairman at the oval to take up the same position at the ECB. This followed a long and botched recruitment process after the resignation of Ian Watmore last october as a result of england’s refusal to tour Pakistan.
Now, following four interviews, the ECB nominations committee will next week announce the appointment of Thompson ahead of interim chair Martin Darlow. Thompson, 54, will have a huge task on his hands as he will be taking over at a time of unprecedented turmoil and division over the future direction of the domestic game. However, the counties believe he can bridge the growing divide among those who wish to preserve and protect first-class cricket, and those who have gambled the game’s future on the Hundred. Thompson was one of the few leading figures in english cricket to oppose the introduction of the controversial new competition. However, he is now believed to have accepted that he will just have to make the Hundred work after it was confirmed for the next three years in the ECB’s new broadcasting deal. The role of chair is meant to be a three-day-a-week job — but it would be no surprise if Thompson, whose interest in the position was revealed by Sportsmail in May, gives up his other interests to take it on full time.
He could also try to rekindle his partnership with Gould — as a possible Ceo of the ECB in place of Tom Harrison — but he would have to lure him away from his role at the football club Bristol City.