The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Nick Pryde as director of participation and growth.

Pryde is an internal appointment, having first joined ECB in 2010 following a three-year stint at Cricket Australia.

The announcement comes as cricket enters one of its biggest ever summers in England and Wales with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, an Ashes series for women and men, and the Physical Disability World Cricket Series – all offering a unique opportunity to grow the game.

Following his appointment, Pryde will join ECB’s senior management team and will play a central part in delivering ECB’s strategy – Inspiring Generations – for 2020-24.

“This summer provides an amazing opportunity to achieve success both on and off the field by inspiring more people to pick up a bat and ball," Pryde said.

"I’m lucky to be able to lead such a motivated team who are committed to capitalising on this summer by driving participation.

"This position also has a key role to deliver important elements of our strategy and I very much look forward to working closely with the entire game to ensure the health and prosperity of cricket over the coming years.”