The International Cricket Council has strengthened its commitment to development with the recent appointment of Martin Vieira as Regional Development Manager for the Americas region and Grant Dugmore as Regional Development Officer for South and Central America. It is hoped that with a formal structure now in place, the Americas Region can look forward to a successful future.

Martin takes up the key ICC role in the Americas after over 30 years' involvement in cricket in Canada as a player, coach and administrator. He was instrumental in the organisation of the ICC Trophy in 2001 and was the original Americas region delegate on the ICC Development Committee when the Program was launched in 1997. Martin will be based in Toronto, Canada.

"There is a lot of potential for development in the region and I look forward to working with all of the cricket-playing countries in the Americas to help raise the profile of the game and improve the standard of play." said Martin.

South African born, Grant played for the Eastern Province and South African Country Districts in the early 90's, and is still an active player in Argentine league cricket. He has also played and coached in Scotland before going to Argentina, where he spent six years in association with the ACA, including three as the National Coach. Grant has worked on assignment for ICC and CCAM in Chile, Paraguay and Cuba. He will continue in his role with the ACA, splitting his time between the Americas RDO and his role as CEO of ACA.