Marsh and Smith take charge of FICA

Tim May will be effectively replaced by two men at the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) with Paul Marsh and Ian Smith set to run the organisation. Marsh has been elected executive chairman, and will take up that role alongside his existing position as chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association, while Smith has been named FICA's chief operating officer.

Smith has been the legal director of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) since 2004 and has assisted May at FICA for the past few years. Smith will be responsible for the day-to-day management of FICA, which represents cricketers' associations in seven countries, and Marsh will be accountable for the performance of the organisation and will effectively be its figurehead and spokesperson.

"The FICA board is excited by the appointments of both Paul Marsh and Ian Smith," Jimmy Adams, the FICA president, said. "Paul has been at the forefront of player advocacy for 12 years at the ACA, the past eight as CEO. He has proven to be a strong, respected and passionate leader who has also contributed enormously as a member of the FICA board.

"Ian has demonstrated his dedication, expertise and passion throughout his time with the PCA and FICA and along with Paul, will ensure our member associations and their players continue to be represented in a strong, unified and tireless manner."

The two men will have big shoes to fill, for May was the major driving force behind FICA during his eight years as its chief executive. May announced his resignation on Wednesday and said he was "tiring of working in a sport that was increasingly at odds with the principles I respect".

"The contribution of Tim May to FICA and cricketers worldwide has been enormous and in many respects he is irreplaceable," Adams said. "Our game continues to throw up issues of great complexity, and strong player representation through FICA and the individual player associations has never been more important. FICA is committed to continuing Tim's wonderful legacy by ensuring that the voices of the players always be heard."