The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made two key appointments to its executive top team.

David Mahoney has been named chief operating officer, while former England women's team captain Clare Connor has been named managing director for women’s cricket.

Mahoney, a former director of policy at communications regulator Ofcom, first joined ECB in 2016, when he took up the role of director of strategy.

Connor, who retired from cricket in 2006, has been at the head of the women's game since 2008 and was appointed a member of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) committee in 2012.

In her new role, she will be responsible for developing both grassroots and elite women's cricket.

The appointments form part of ECB's new game-wide strategy for 2020-24, Inspiring Generations.

“Both these moves, for Clare and David, are key steps in us building a stronger future for ECB and the game," said Tom Harrison, ECB chief executive.

"We have a new strategy for 2020-24 and we must be ready to deliver and continue our growth across the game.

“David and his team have driven the creation of this new strategy, which will help shape the game in England and Wales for years to come.

"Meanwhile, the women’s and girls’ game is one of our six core priorities and, given the strong and consistent growth of the women’s game and the opportunities we have created, Clare will now take responsibility from grassroots through to the England team."