England's new operations manager Phil Neale: "Deal with all the adminstrative support behind the scenes"

Neale, who is managing the current tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe, will take on responsibility for organising team activities, travel and accomodation in his new role.

He will also liaise with chairman of selectors David Graveney, supervise the transition of England's players to centralised contracts and ensure that they receive proper rest periods and physical training.

Cricketing pedigree

His appointment will help co-ordinate the national side's increasingly hectic schedule, which will include seven Tests and 10 one-day internationals next home summer.

Neale: Experience with England A and England U19

Traditionally, England have only ever had a manager for foreign tours, leaving home planning to ECB staff.

Simon Pack, the England and Wales Cricket Board's international teams director, said: "Phil's managerial qualities and administrative skills, along with his cricketing pedigree, suit him ideally to this important new appointment."

Neale has previously managed three A tours and the Under-19's successful World Youth Cup campaign.

He said: "I'm looking forward to working closely with Duncan Fletcher, Nasser Hussain and the rest of the squad.