In a surprise development, the First Class Forum (FCF) has nominated David Morgan ahead of Surrey's chairman Mike Soper to replace Lord MacLaurin as chairman of the ECB. The selection still has to be ratified by the full 39-member board of the ECB at their next meeting on October 4, but the strong likelihood is that Morgan, who is currently MacLaurin's deputy, will start his two-year term on January 1, 2003.

The hot favourite, Surrey's chairman Mike Soper, managed to poll just eight of the 19 votes from the 18 first-class counties and MCC, despite having the express backing of six counties prior to the election. Soper, 54 years old and suffering from incurable prostate and bone cancer, had been seen as the more radical alternative, a fact that may have concerned some entrenched opinions in the shires. As one county official put it, "He's done a bloody good job at Surrey and has some especially good ideas for non-Test grounds. Soper might be more risky, but Morgan is more of the same."

Morgan, 64, was understandably delighted at the outcome: "Whilst I recognise that the result of the ballot has yet to be endorsed by the 39 members of the ECB, I am nevertheless delighted to have received the backing of the FCF.

"Michael Soper has clearly gained a significant amount of support, and it will be important for the Board to embrace some of his ideas, especially about the further popularisation of cricket. If my nomination is endorsed, I look forward to working with Michael and others to build on the very positive foundations for the game that have been laid during Ian MacLaurin's tenure of office."

Somerset's chief executive, Peter Anderson, said of Morgan, a former chairman of Glamorgan: "He's done nothing wrong as deputy chairman and is a safe pair of hands. He has all the tact and ability to sweep up after MacLaurin. There is no-one who has come forward of MacLaurin's ilk."

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