ECB's Steve Elworthy Appointed Managing Director Of ICC World Cup 2019

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on Tuesday, jointly announced that Steve Elworthy had been appointed as Managing Director of the ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales in 2019.

Elworthy will also have an oversight of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, both of which will be staged in England and Wales.

Elworthy has previously been Tournament Director for three different ICC global events: the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and the ICC World T20 tournament in 2009, which were staged in England and Wales, as well as the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa in 2007.

A former South Africa fast bowler who played four Tests and 39 ODIs and also featured in the Commonwealth Games 1998 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999, Elworthy has also held senior management positions in Marketing and Communications with both the ECB and Cricket South Africa.

In his new role as Managing Director of the ICC Cricket World 2019, Elworthy will oversee a dedicated Lord's based team responsible for all aspects of the tournament including marketing, logistics, cricket operations, volunteering and security.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson welcomed Elworthy's appointment and said:"Steve is well respected and enjoys an excellent relationship with the ICC Events staff. He has a proven track record as a cricket administrator.

"I'm confident that the ICC and Steve's team will work together to ensure they scale new heights in delivering an unforgettable event for players, spectators, media and sponsors."

Commenting on the appointment, ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison said:"It's vital cricket in England and Wales capitalises fully on the unique opportunity we've been given to stage three major ICC events in the next three year - and Steve is perfectly qualified to provide the leadership and detailed planning required for all three.

"He has an outstanding track record of delivering fan-friendly tournaments which have been widely admired not just in cricket, but across the wider sports industry. Our congratulations to Steve on his appointment and we will be offering him and his team all the support they need to deliver successful tournaments in both 2017 and 2019."

Elworthy said: "Since I retired from professional cricket in 2003, I have been given some fantastic opportunities in cricket administration and managing the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is the biggest and the best yet.

"The UK has an outstanding record of hosting world-class events which set a benchmark for other countries, and other sports, to follow and I am very keen to maintain that tradition over the next three years. All three ICC global events will give us great opportunities to broaden cricket's appeal and reach out to new audiences world-wide."