MUMBAI: Matthew Kennedy will take over as the International Cricket Councils (ICC) global development manager from January.

Kennedy currently serves as the organisation's regional development manager for the East-Asia Pacific region. ICC CEO Malcolm Speed was quoted in an official release saying that Kennedy was the outstanding candidate to emerge from a strong field for the crucial role.

"The ICC was in the fortunate position of having multiple applicants who were capable of taking on this important role but Matthews credentials for this role are outstanding. He has a terrific background in establishing and delivering development programmes through his current role with the ICC and before that with the Victorian Cricket Association in Australia, said Speed.

"This is a critically important role for the growth of the game internationally. He will bring with him the operational understanding of development issues as well as the capacity to think strategically about continuing the impressive growth cricket has enjoyed around the world," he added.

Kennedy said that he was looking forward to taking up the position and would relocate from Australia to the ICCs offices in London as soon as possible. "Cricket is enjoying a period of significant growth with 89 countries now members of the ICC. This position will give me the chance to help shape the future development of the game around the world."

Kennedy replaces Andrew Eade who resigned from the position in October to take up the role of CEO of the Auckland Cricket Association in New Zealand.