PCA creates new Cricket Department

The PCA has created a dedicated Cricket Department to cover the operations and administration of the professional game, with current Chair Daryl Mitchell appointed as the Association’s Director of Cricket Operations.

Mitchell, 37, will be the first individual to hold the role of Director of Cricket Operations, which he will take up when his tenure as Chair ends at the PCA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), on Thursday 25 February.

The department will focus on all cricket matters in the men’s and women’s professional game. The five-strong team will continue to work with members on areas including contractual and commercial rights, domestic structures, insurance, and operational elements of the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP). In addition, the department will manage relationships with agents and management companies.

The Worcestershire all-rounder, who has scored 19,176 runs and taken 208 wickets in his 516 professional appearances, will continue his red-ball playing duties at New Road, and will also be available for T20 cricket. However, Mitchell will now step back from the 50-over game.

The former Worcestershire captain will extend his relationship with the PCA which started in 2003 when he signed his first professional contract and became a member. Six years later, Mitchell became the county’s PCA representative before the Players’ Committee elected him as the 14th Chair of the PCA in 2017, a position he has held for four years after re-election in 2019.

During his tenure, Mitchell led the Association through major developments in the game including the creation of the Hundred and the negotiations of the County Partnership Agreement and the new standard county playing contract.

PCA Chief Executive, Rob Lynch, said: “Nobody in the game has a better knowledge and understanding of the issues our members currently face than Daryl, so I am pleased we have managed to retain his services as our new Director of Cricket Operations.

“It is important that we do not lose Daryl’s experience and ability as a leading voice in the game.

“I would also like to add my gratitude to Worcestershire County Cricket Club for their understanding and cooperation in allowing Daryl to contribute to the game both on and off the pitch next season.”

The PCA’s incoming Director of Cricket Operations, Daryl Mitchell, said: “I’ve made no secret of my desire to continue with an administrative role within sport, so I’m very happy to be staying with the PCA, and grateful to everyone at Worcestershire for allowing me a flexible playing schedule from 2021 onwards in order to do so.

“I look forward to continuing to score runs in red-ball and contributing in T20 cricket as I combine my playing and off-field roles.”

PCA Chair elect, James Harris, said: “I’m very pleased Daryl is assuming this new role as Director of Cricket. During my time as Vice Chair, I was part of the consultation process to approve this restructure, and there is nobody better placed than Daryl for this role.

“To have a dedicated Cricket Department is positive in expanding and clarifying the support available to all members.”