THE new chief executive at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Tom Harrison, has represented Worcestershire at second team level.

Harrison hit the national headlines this week when he announced a dramatic overhaul of the team’s management structure.

Paul Downton, who was appointed as managing director of the ECB in February last year, departed from his role on Wednesday.

Harrison said Downton’s job title would be made redundant and replaced by a new role called Director of England Cricket.

Worcestershire’s chief executive David Leatherdale said: “Tom has already visited the club and attended our strategic group meeting, very much to listen but also to give a few thoughts and ideas.

“I don’t want to say anything about his predecessor but Tom has been once in three weeks – his predecessor came once in 10 years.

“Tom played cricket for our second team and still plays club cricket in London and is a big supporter of recreational and club cricket. Hopefully, he’s in our side about what we want to do.

“The future structures of English cricket will change.

“Everything is being thrown out there at the moment - whether it’s franchise cricket, four-day cricket or three-day cricket.

“I am led to believe there will be new plans put forward in October from which counties will be consulted in.

“I know our chairman already has four meetings pencilled in over the next 12 months with the ECB. It’s interesting to note that not all the Test match grounds are big fans of franchise cricket.”

Worcestershire chairman Stephen Taylor said: “We are already seeing a lot of changes taking place at the ECB with the likes of the new chairman and the new structures coming through.

“I am sure there will be change within the game of cricket for the future.

“Part of my role is to make sure I represent the club in what we feel should happen.”