Tim Lamb resigns

Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the England & Wales Cricket Board, has announced that he is standing down. He will be leaving Lord's in September, after eight years in the job.

His position had been weakened by the continuing confusion over England's planned tour of Zimbabwe later this year, and there had been signs that he had lost the support of the counties who make up the ECB. There had been intense media speculation since a story in Tuesday's Daily Mail which stated that he would be leaving.

Lamb, 51, said today: "I feel that after nearly eight years in the role I have probably taken the ECB as far as I can. As the organisation moves into the next phase of its development with a revised strategic plan and new challenges to face, it's time to move on and hand over the reins to someone else.

"I have been privileged to be the first chief executive of ECB following its creation as the single national governing body for cricket in England and Wales back in January 1997, and I am very proud of the Board's many and varied achievements since that time. I believe that cricket as a sport has a new vibrancy about it and has taken some significant steps forward at all levels in recent years. I hope that's the generally held view among those who follow and support the game."

Looking back on his years in charge, Lamb reflected: "It's a high-intensity role that has demanded my total focus and commitment for a considerable period of time now. Sometimes, if you're not careful, the job can almost take over your life completely, and inevitably there have been sacrifices that have needed to be made from both a personal and a family point of view.

"I still feel that I have plenty to offer, but I think now is the time to stand aside before I risk losing any of my motivation or enthusiasm. There are some important tasks to complete over the next four months, including the delivery of a world-class ICC Champions Trophy tournament on behalf of the international community in September. Then I shall feel ready to move on and let others build on what has been started."

David Morgan, the ECB chairman, added: "It has been a privilege to work with Tim in the establishment and subsequent development of the single governing body for cricket in England and Wales, and he will also be missed by those in the international cricket community where he has performed with distinction over the last decade."