ECB National Cricket Academy update

* The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Nigel Laughton, who previously worked as ICC European Development Manager, as the new National Academy Manager. He started work in the ECB offices at Lord's on Monday 9 July.

* John Abrahams, currently the ECB National Coach for the North West Region, has been appointed as the National Academy Assistant Coach. He will start this post in September.

* On Saturday 14 July, Hugh Morris, ECB Performance Director, Nigel Laughton and John Abrahams travelled to the Australian National Academy in Adelaide, which will host the National Academy for the first year, to finalise plans for this winter's programme.

* Full details on the 2001-2 National Academy programme, as well as the identity of the National Academy Director, will be announced in due course.