Imtiaz Patel, from South Africa, will be the next ICC chief executive in a compromise that has found a role for I. S. Bindra, the candidate favoured by the powerful Indian lobby, as principal adviser. David Morgan, the president elect, said that there was “absolute consensus” for the appointments after three days of talks in Dubai.

Malcolm Speed, the incumbent chief executive, will stand down after seven years in July. Patel was recommended to the executive board from a shortlist of six, including Bindra, by a four-man sub-committee. He will be offered a formal three-year contract at the annual meeting scheduled to take place in London in four months' time.

India would have wielded more control than ever from 2010 had Bindra joined Sharad Pawar, who is scheduled to succeed Morgan after his two-year stretch, in the most senior posts within the governing body. A veteran of ICC politics, Morgan said: “It was encouraging to see that the board endorsed the sub-committee's recommendation.”

Patel, 43, is a former Soweto schoolteacher and hails from an Indian background. He is the chief executive of SuperSport, the South African broadcasting network, having previously worked in administration in football and rugby union, as well as cricket.

Bindra was pushed strongly by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), despite having personal reservations about moving from his base in the Punjab. The ICC let it be known that he could be barred on the ground of age because of a law in Dubai blocking people over 65 from certain positions. This was contested by the BCCI.

Chris Lewis, 40, will come out of retirement to play for Surrey in the Twenty20 Cup this season. Since giving up the professional game in 2000, the former England player has been involved in club cricket and coaching in schools while also appearing for the PCA Masters XI. Alan Butcher, the Surrey cricket manager, said: “He ticks boxes on many levels. He is an all-rounder who is still a brilliant fielder, doesn't require a full-time, long-term contract as a young Kolpak player would and first-team opportunities will still be available for our young players throughout the season.”

Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, chose St Patrick's Day to announce an alcohol ban on the squad before the one-day series in Bangladesh. “It has been proven that it does have an effect,” Simmons said yesterday.

Bill Brown, the last surviving Australia player from before the War, has died at the age of 95. He is best known for his opening partnership with Jack Fingleton in the 1930s and as a member of the 1948 Invincibles. A career highlight was carrying his bat for 206 in the 1938 Ashes Test at Lord's.

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