Former England selector Ed Smith has been appointed to the ECB board as a non-executive director, effective 1 October. The appointment comes as England's cricket establishment faces intense scrutiny following their 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, where preparation and professionalism were heavily criticized.

Smith, who played for Middlesex and Kent before earning three Test caps, served as England's national selector from 2018 to 2021. During his tenure, England won the 2019 World Cup on home soil. He will join the ECB board when his one-year term as MCC President concludes.

The ECB stated Smith's role will provide "scrutiny and challenge" regarding the long-term strategy and governance of English cricket, including performance cricket. He replaces Baroness Zahida Manzoor, who completed her three-year term. England's international summer begins with the women's white-ball series against New Zealand on 10 May, followed by the men's Test series starting 4 June.