Statement from CEO David Smith

Date: Thursday 29 April 2010

After a lot of careful consideration, I can confirm that it is my intention to resign from the ECB Cricket Committee with immediate effect.

Having played first class cricket for Warwickshire for 12 years and having served on the Warwickshire General and Cricket Committee for nine years, I believe first-class cricket playing experience should be a pre-requisite for anyone to chair this ECB group.

The recent confirmed appointment of someone without this experience, although democratically administered, in my view is a very serious error of judgment and I feel I cannot support this appointment.

It has let down both current, past and future first-class cricketers in England and Wales and it could - and should - have so easily been avoided.

Peter Wright’s recent public comments in a newspaper only furthered my view that he is the wrong person to take on this role. His total lack of first class playing experience at a time the game faces major changes in its domestic structure, will concern all who have the best interests of our domestic game at heart.

The ECB cricket committee members would have hoped for a strong leader from a first-class cricket background who could represent the group at board level when discussing our core product – cricket - instead they have got ‘Peter Who?’

The ECB has many very good people working within the organisation, but I believe the balance of those making key cricket decisions has started to move in the wrong direction.

It is important to know and understand our core product and the current ECB Board of Directors does not, I believe, reflect the correct numbers to ensure a sensible balance between first-class cricket playing experience and the necessary business skills for our game to meet head on the many challenges that it faces.

I have been very grateful to the many people who have both contacted me and have supported me in my stance over this issue.

I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to everyone for making the past 20 months since I joined the ECB cricket committee a very enjoyable experience.

I wish them well in what promises to be very challenging times ahead for our game at domestic level.

David Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Leicestershire CCC