Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell says David Leatherdale has "all the qualities" to be an outstanding success as the new CEO of the Professional Cricketers' Association.
Leatherdale has left his role as CEO at New Road after five and a half years to take up a similar post with the PCA from this month.
Mitchell played alongside Leatherdale at the tail-end of his 20 year career with Worcestershire and has seen him develop into a well respected administrator off the pitch with the County.
He believes having worked both sides of the cricketing fence – on and off the pitch – will only stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead in his new role.
Worcestershire's 2016 beneficiary said: "I grew up watching David play. You always remember that cover drive. He was famous for his cover drive and his fielding at extra cover.
"Those are the two things that stand out definitely. I was fortunate to play alongside him in the second team and then a few one-day games in the first team.
"He was just a good solid team man, a good all-rounder and did his job for the team.
"He has made a successful transition to the business side of the game. He was always a smart cookie. He was destined to end up with a top job.
"He did a stint here as Commercial Director before becoming CEO and he is good at what he does.
"I think that is shown in the profits we have made over the last five or six years."
Mitchell added: "I am the PCA rep for Worcestershire so he will be my boss again in that capacity.
"Fortunately I will get to spend plenty of time in his company still. It's a great job to have, a big job, and he thoroughly deserves it.
"Being an ex player as well as a chief executive, he has got all the skills required to do that job fantastically well."
