Mali to take over from Sonn as UCB president

Ray Mali is set to become the first black president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB). Mali, who comes from East London, will replace the controversial Percy Sonn, who has been nominated by the UCB as vice-chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Although the UCB do not meet to discuss the position until August 30, Mali is the only candidate for the post and so his appointment is a formality. Mali is the fifth person to hold the presidency since the boards were unified in 1992. He is currently president of Border, and has been a member of the UCB's general council since 2000.

Sonn's appointment as ICC vice-president is also unopposed, and should lead to him being president of the ICC in 2005. Many will be surprised at Sonn's nomination given the poor publicity he has attracted, not least during the recent World Cup when he was forced to apologise for a drunken outburst during a match. But he is regarded as a capable administrator and has many allies in the corridors of power.