ICC names Steve Elworthy as 2019 World Cup MD

Dubai, July 19 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) and hosts England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday jointly announced Steve Elworthy as managing director of the ICC 2019 World Cup.

He will also have an oversight of the Champions Trophy and the women’s World Cup, which will both be staged in England and Wales next year.

Elworthy has previously been Tournament Director for three different ICC global events: the Champions Trophy in 2013 and the World T20 tournament in 2009, which were staged in England, as well as the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007.

A former South Africa fast bowler, who played four Tests and 39 One-Day Internationals, and also featured in the Commonwealth Games 1998 and the ICC cricket World Cup 1999, Elworthy has also held senior management positions in marketing and communications with both the ECB and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

In his new role, Elworthy will oversee a dedicated Lord’s based team responsible for all aspects of the tournament including marketing, logistics, cricket operations, volunteering and security.

ICC chief executive David Richardson welcomed Elworthy’s appointment and said: "Steve is well respected and enjoys an excellent relationship with the ICC events staff. He has a proven track record as a cricket administrator. I’m confident that the ICC and Steve’s team will work together to ensure they scale new heights in delivering an unforgettable event for players, spectators, media and sponsors."

Commenting on the appointment, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "It’s vital cricket in England and Wales capitalises fully on the unique opportunity we’ve been given to stage three major ICC events in the next three year - and Steve is perfectly qualified to provide the leadership and detailed planning required for all three."

Elworthy termed the opportunity as the biggest and the best of his career as an administrator.

"Since I retired from professional cricket in 2003, I have been given some fantastic opportunities in cricket administration and managing the ICC cricket World Cup 2019 is the biggest and the best yet," Elworthy said.

"The UK has an outstanding record of hosting world-class events which set a benchmark for other countries, and other sports, to follow and I am very keen to maintain that tradition over the next three years. All three ICC global events will give us great opportunities to broaden cricket’s appeal and reach out to new audiences world-wide," he added.