The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has published its strategic plan for 2005-2009, entitled Building Partnerships.

The plan for the future development of cricket will be supported in four key areas: effective leadership and governance; developing a vibrant domestic game; enthusing participation and following among young people; and developing successful England teams.

The chief executive of the ECB, David Collier, says in the document’s introduction that in the past, planning “was based on wish lists and a series of well-intentioned projects which were not part of any unified strategy.”

The main aspects of the strategy include reducing bureaucracy by cutting ECB committees back to three and incentivising the counties by introducing performance-based fee payments.

Grassroots cricket will also be targetted, with more coached sessions taking place in schools, the numbers of focus clubs expanded and making interest-free loans available. Details: www.ecb.co.uk