The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that the strategic development and delivery of all disability cricket will now be co-ordinated by the national governing body.

Ian Martin, the ECB's national disability manager, will now be responsible for managing all disability cricket following a deal between the board and each of the groups involved in delivering disability initiatives. The ECB has formed agreements with the British Association For Cricketers with Disabilities (BACD), the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), the Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities (CFPD), Blind Cricket England and Wales (BCEW) and the England Cricket Association for the Deaf (ECAD).

Martin said: "Disability cricket is now an essential part of the ECB's development programme and it is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers within the organisations here today that we are now able to enter formal partnership agreements with these groups to achieve our aim of being the world leader in the delivery of cricket for all." Colin Chaytors, chief exectuive of the EFDS, said: "We will work on initiatives to develop even more opportunities in cricket for disabled people as participants, coaches, officials and volunteers."

Matt Dean, captain of the England Blind Team, added: "Playing for England is the pinnacle of any player's career and that disability cricketers can now aspire to these great heights will strengthen the game at all levels."