Elworthy to lead 2009 World Twenty20

Steve Elworthy, the former South Africa fast bowler, has been appointed as the tournament director for 2009's ICC World Twenty20, to be held in England and Wales.

Elworthy, who oversaw the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 held in South Africa in September, will join the ECB in January 2008. "The 2007 event was a festival of world-class cricket which captured the imagination of the world," he said. "My goal is to ensure that the 2009 event is even more successful."

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, welcomed Elworthy on board and said: "His experience of managing an ICC World Twenty20 tournament coupled with his international playing experience, commercial background and knowledge of our grounds in the UK provide the all-round skills required to run a world class event. He is the ideal candidate to lead the event in England and Wales in 2009."

Elworthy said he was looking forward to the challenge of running the event. "The opportunity to join the ECB and run the 2009 event during an amazing summer of cricket in England and Wales with the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament, ICC Centenary and the Ashes is an honour and a challenge which I am relishing."

Elworthy played four Tests and 39 ODIs for South Africa between 1998 and 2002 and had county stints with Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.