Leatherdale appointed PCA chief

David Leatherdale, the former Worcestershire allrounder who has served the county as its chief executive for the last five years, is to succeed Angus Porter at the helm of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

Porter had been expected to step down after six eventful years as chief executive of the players' union. He will continue in the role until March, working alongside Leatherdale, who will take on full responsibility from April.

Leatherdale has done a much-admired job during his time at Worcestershire, one of the smallest first-class counties. The club has consistently been in profit, despite redeveloping its New Road ground, while at the same time remaining competitive on the field, with three of the last five seasons spent in Division One of the Championship.

"I am delighted to be joining the PCA at what is an exciting time for professional cricket on both a domestic and international level and as a member of the PCA for some 30 years, an association which has supported me personally over that time, I look forward to working with and representing our past, present and future professional cricketers as cricket moves forward into a new era," Leatherdale said.

Leatherdale's departure will leave a significant hole at Worcestershire, where he became commercial director after retiring in 2005. He spent his entire playing career at New Road, scoring more than 15,000 runs to go with 330 wickets across the formats.

He has also served on the ECB's cricket committee, alongside Porter, as representative of the chief executives of the 18 first-class counties.

Glamorgan wicketkeeper Mark Wallace, the current PCA chairman, said: "I am delighted that David is joining us as CEO. I am pleased that we have been able to appoint a PCA member to succeed Angus and am confident David will enjoy the same success with the PCA as he has at Worcestershire."