England and Wales Cricket Board to 'review' Glamorgan payment

In February 2018, Glamorgan were awarded eight days of limited-overs internationals

The England and Wales Cricket Board has commissioned a review into the £2.5m Glamorgan received for not applying to host Tests between 2020 and 2024.

The "external review" follows a meeting between the ECB and representatives from all 18 first-class counties.

Surrey chairman Richard Thompson has quit his role as a non-executive director of the ECB and Andy Nash also left citing "significant differences".

Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris says he is not worried by the review.

"The board agree that it will be valuable to have an external review into the process around the payment," said ECB chairman Colin Graves.

"I recognise there have been questions raised and, while answers have been provided, we are determined that the process is fully reviewed."

'A binding contract'

Glamorgan have already received £1.5 million of the compensation payment and do not foresee problems obtaining the rest of the sum.

"We've very happy to help with that inquiry as much as we possibly can, we're in a position where we've got nothing to hide, we haven't hidden anything and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to that review," Morris told BBC Sport Wales.

"We don't believe (there's any danger of being forced to refund the money), we have a binding contract with the ECB and fully expect that to be honoured.

"We've used some of it for debt reduction (to the bank), we've reduced our debt over the last three or four years from £17m to around £2.5m.

"We've got a great stadium but there's not been as much maintenance as we would have liked and we've got an improvement plan to make sure everybody who comes to watch cricket here has as comfortable a time as they possibly can."

Nash was Somerset's chairman for 10 years before leaving the post in January

'In the best interests of the game'

Nash stepped down as a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board having been a member of the ECB's board since 2004.

In a statement provided to BBC Sport prior to the review announcement, Nash said: "When I resigned I said I did not think it appropriate to expand on my reasons in public re. the unacceptable shortcomings in corporate governance at the ECB. This remains my view.

"I met with the board's senior independent director and thereafter wrote to him giving detailing reasoning for my resignation. Further, I gave him my permission to share my letter with the full board.

"With two non-executive directors having now taken the ultimate sanction available to them to register their dissatisfaction, I agree with those who say the most appropriate course of action is for an independent external investigation to be set up to consider the matters raised.

"It is in the best interests of the game and the national governing body that the substantial matters raised by the non-executive directors and several counties are considered properly, openly and transparently.

"This is the best way for the game to be able to draw a line under the issues raised, to learn the lessons, unify and move on."

Richard Thompson is the second person in three weeks to step down as a non-executive director of the ECB

Thompson 'uncomfortable with recent decisions'

In a statement on Surrey's club website, Thompson said: "I'm saddened to have to stand down while still being a board member.

"I have been uncomfortable with recent decisions taken without full consultation and as such did not feel able to remain on the board.

"I remain totally committed to the game I love and importantly continuing to do all I can to help Surrey success grow on and off the field."

An ECB statement confirming his exit said: "The decision comes as ECB prepares for a new board structure from its annual general meeting in May 2018.

"In December 2017, ECB announced plans to reform its board following an independent review, with a reduction from 13 to 12 members, including four independent directors and five non-executive cricket directors.

"Directors who held other cricket roles within the domestic game - Peter Wright, Martin Darlow, Andy Nash and Richard Thompson - had three months grace in which to decide whether to remain on the board or in their other cricket role."

Graves added: "For a fully independent board structure, a number of directors with positions in cricket had to decide whether they continue to serve on the board or in those roles.

"Each of these has now made their decision and we can look to recruit new directors for that new-look board."

The ECB, meanwhile, has established a new 11-member T20 board, with former Nottinghamshire and England batsman Michael Lumb co-opted as an advisor on cricket matters.

It is the latest step in the establishment of a new eight-team T20 competition, which is scheduled to begin in 2020.