Barbara Daniels, the National Manager for Women's Cricket, will be leaving the employment of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) at the end of September 2000 to concentrate fully on playing for the England Women's Cricket team.

Commenting on her decision, Barbara said:

"I have enjoyed enormously working at the ECB and hope I have made a significant contribution in helping to promote the women's game in this country. It is very gratifying to note that half a million girls and women now play cricket in England and Wales and the game is becoming increasingly popular".

"However, I feel that I can play cricket at the highest level for another two or three years, and would like to devote all my energies to preparing for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand and beyond. It is just not possible to continue combining this desire with my management responsibilities at the ECB. I will be sad to leave the ECB and it has been a hard decision to make, but I believe it's the right one".

Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the ECB, said:

"We are very sorry to be losing Barbara - she has done a very good job in leading the development of the women's game. However, I understand fully that at this stage in her career she wants to concentrate all her efforts on playing cricket for England and, hopefully, winning the World Cup later this year."

For further information please contact John Read at the ECB Corporate Affairs Department on 020-7432-1244.