David Collier, former ECB chief executive, passes away at the age of 70

Former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive David Collier passed away at the age of 70. He served England cricket from 2004 to 2014, and during his tenure, the England men’s team won the Ashes on four occasions and lifted their maiden ICC title, the 2010 World T20 in the Caribbean under Paul Collingwood’s leadership. In 2011, the Three Lions rose to the top of the ICC Test team rankings for the first and only time.

The women’s team of England also produced some sensational results during this time. They won five Ashes series during Collier’s time in charge, while also winning the ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup titles in 2009. The highlight of his term came in the double-Ashes-winning summer of 2005, when thousands of fans gathered on the streets of central London to greet the teams on an open-top bus parade.

Apart from his contribution to the ECB, Collier also held administrative positions at Essex, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, and Nottinghamshire.

The Leicester-born was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for his services to cricket.

“It’s immensely sad to learn of the death of David Collier. Everyone who knew and worked with David will speak to what a gentleman he was, and to how hard he worked in leading our game,” Richard Gould, the ECB’s current CEO, said.

“He served cricket with great distinction, and he was instrumental in a period of growth which has contributed to where the game is today. Some of our earliest advances in the women’s and disability games were made under David and I know he was proud of taking the game forward during his time at the ECB – his contribution speaks for itself. The thoughts of all of us at the ECB are with everyone who knew and loved David,” he added.

Apart from his cricketing achievements, Collier was also given the responsibility of looking after the Rugby League International Federation, as he was appointed its CEO in March 2015. He was also the Chairman of HIX Management Group, a sports management company co-founded by him and former professional Golfer Andrew Hicks.

The England team, after being comprehensively beaten 1-4 by Australia in the Ashes, will look to regroup ahead of the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. They play three ODIs and as many T20Is in the Island Nation.