Medlycott's new challenge

Keith Medlycott, the former Surrey player and coach, has been named as the ICC's new Umpires' High Performance Manager. His main responsibility will be to help develop all ICC-contracted umpires by introducing and monitoring training and development programmes to cover physical and mental conditioning, skill development, match preparation and match-day activities.

Medlycott, 39, took 357 first-class wickets with his left-arm spin, mainly for Surrey, and also scored 3684 runs at 25.94. He toured the West Indies with England in 1989-90, without playing in a Test, and went with England A to Sri Lanka the following winter, where an attack of the bowling "yips" struck. He was forced to retire from first-class cricket at the end of the following season, 1991, but returned to Surrey as coach in 1997, helping them to win three County Championship titles and four one-day trophies. He left The Oval at the end of 2003, saying that it was time for a change.

Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, explained that Medlycott had been appointed after an extensive international search. "The ICC recognises the importance of providing the Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires with the same level of support as a team of players," he said. "Keith is taking up an important new role that will help in the coaching and development of the game's top officials as we seek to attain ever higher levels of correct decision-making."

Medlycott will monitor, review and provide critical appraisal of the performance of umpires, as well as feedback and counselling on a regular and professional basis. "I am looking forward to working with the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires," he said, "and applying the people-management skills I have developed as a player and coach over the last 20 years in this new environment."

Medlycott will take up his new role on October 1. He will be based at his home in England.