The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today confirmed the appointment of Dr Peter Gregory as the Board's first chief medical officer. He begins work immediately.

Gregory, the current Director of Masters Programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Nottingham, will be charged with delivering the medical support service to the centrally contracted England players. In addition he will be responsible for the co-ordination of the medical support programme to the men's talent development squads - the National Academy and England U19, U17 and U15 age group sides - the England Women's team and England Women's Development squad.

Hugh Morris, ECB Performance Director, to whom Dr Gregory will report, said, "I am delighted to welcome such an experienced and highly qualified medical practitioner to the ECB, Peter will be a huge asset to us. He will ensure that any injured England player gets the best possible medical attention and he will be on hand to guide them right through the rehabilitation process.

"The National Academy facility at Loughborough will be the base for the ECB's medical care when operational in autumn 2003, providing us with an ideal environment to be able to look after our most talented cricketers."

Gregory will review the current ECB medical support structure and provide recommendations for the future delivery of medical support for ECB representative teams.

His work with the England men's team will include the provision of medical services during practice and competition, and the supervision of players' rehabilitation programmes. He will therefore co-ordinate the referral of England's centrally contracted players to other doctors and specialists as appropriate, making him the major point of contact for injured players.

Gregory will also be responsible for the education of players and coaches on subjects such as the prevention of injury and illness, drug-related problems, diet and nutrition and doping issues.

His extensive work in sports medicine includes experience with England Hockey, the Amateur Swimming Federation of Great Britain, the Lawn Tennis Association and Notts County Football Club. In 1998 he completed a major study entitled 'Bowling injuries in elite young cricketers'. He is a member of the ECB Coaches Association and he plays cricket at Banbury Cricket Club.

© ECB