Parsons named performance director

David Parsons chats with Monty Panesar during England's tour of Sri Lanka, but will now be focussing on England's next generation of talent © Getty Images

David Parsons has been confirmed as the ECB's new performance director after holding the position in an acting role since Peter Moores became England coach. The ECB has also announced Richard Halsall as the national fielding coach.

Parsons, whose appointment takes effect immediately, has been the ECB's main spin bowling coach and was the favourite to get the job for the role. In the last 12 months he has initiated and developed the ECB spin programme and worked closely with players such as Monty Panesar and Adil Rashid.

His appointment was welcomed by Hugh Morris, the board's managing director. "David has been acting performance director for the last six months since Peter Moores took over as England coach," Morris said.

"During that time David has ensured the smooth running of the National Performance Centre at Loughborough University, and has worked closely with Peter Moores to ensure the best possible support and preparation programmes for the England team.

"He has played a central role in developing and delivering the England Performance Camp in India, in which he has embraced the expertise of coaches such as Martyn Moxon and Ashley Giles.

"His ability to attract such names demonstrates that he will be ideally suited to the role of performance director because one of his main challenges will be to provide the current England Performance Programme, and future England players, with the best possible coaching advice and support to ensure they can maximise their potential."

Moores was also pleased that Parsons, a level four ECB coach, had been chosen to take his old position: "David has done an outstanding job as acting performance director and I am delighted he has secured the position on a permanent basis. He will have a very important role to play in developing our future England players."

Meanwhile, the team of specialist coaches on hand to assist the England squad has been increased with Halsall's appointment as fielding coach. He is currently the head of sport science and PE at Wellington College in Berkshire and has been involved in coaching England junior squads as well as being fielding coach at Sussex for the last five years.

"It is an exciting challenge for Richard who will aim to raise the standards of fielding throughout England and Wales to 'world class' levels," said Morris. "His innovative approach and willingness to learn from some of the world's top fielders as well as considering implementing skills and techniques from other sports will be important in taking the art of fielding to a new level when he joins the ECB in March."

Moores added that Halsall is an important addition to the coaching team: "The appointment of a national fielding coach demonstrates the importance of this aspect of the game to all our international teams," he said. "Richard has an excellent track record, is open to new ideas and I am really looking forward to working with him again in the near future."