Officials ballot to combine with ECB

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is delighted to welcome the members of the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (ACU&S) following the result of the ballot on their future.

Requiring a majority of two-thirds to be passed, more than 74% voted for the establishment of the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) and for ACU&S to be wound up. The ACU&S will cease functioning from January 1, 2008, from when the new organisation (ECB ACO) will be in place. An interim chairman will be appointed to oversee the transition and arrange for the appointment of a management board as soon as possible.

Since its early days in 1953, the ACU&S has successfully been developing umpire and scorer training courses and its reputation has grown around the world. Mike Gatting, ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships, said: "The work completed in this important area of the game by ACU&S has laid a strong foundation for the further development of officiating.

"Together with the resources available to the governing body of the sport the partnership with officials can be strengthened and taken on to new levels. This is a positive move for the sport and especially for the officials."

Geoff Lowden, Chairman of ACU&S, said: "The membership has taken a positive decision to move forward and to ensure the work done since the start of ACU&S is built upon.

"There is little doubt that the game has developed over the last few years and the demands on officials have increased at all levels. ECB ACO is in the ideal position to provide the support that the officials require."