STAR all-rounder Jonathan Finch says his appointment as high performance manager for women’s cricket in England is something he is immensely proud of – even if it means his own playing career has to be put on the backburner for the time being.

Lowerhouse’s Finch, consistently one of the best performers with both bat and ball throughout his Foster’s Lancashire League career, has landed his new job, which is one of the biggest in the women’s game for the ECB and he couldn’t be more excited about his nationwide role.

“I am really, really happy,” said the 30-year-old who started his career with Nelson. “There was a reshuffle within the women’s game after Mark Lane left his role as England head coach and Paul Shaw was made head of England women’s performance for the national team.

“I obviously impressed at interview and got the job as high performance manager for the ECB, which is basically overseeing all women’s cricket below the national team.

“It’s a great job and I am really proud to have got it.

“It is probably one of the top jobs you can get in women’s team sport in the country and it is a really good opportunity for me.

“Women’s cricket has made great strides over the years and you can see with what Lancashire have achieved and the way people like Jen Laycock work hard to raise the profile of ther sport.”

Finch knows all about the Lancashire Cricket Board set up and was coaching county age groups when he was 19 and also spent last year as coach of the Red Rose women’s first team as well as working with the national squads.

“There are so many opportunities to raise the profile of women’s cricket,” added Finch. “It is starting to get noticed more with more and more TV and media coverage and I am really excited about the chance to continue to develop it.

“Ever since I was about 19 and was taking charge of age groups I have always had a desire to get involved with the performance side of the game.”

Finch has been cricket performance manager for the Midlands and was the England Women’s Development Programme U19s head coach before landing his new job.

But there is one downside for Finch as his new job means that his own time in the middle is somewhat limited.

“I suppose that’s the downside,” said Finch. “But they are the sacrifices you have to make sometimes, especially when you get a new job.

“But I am not turning my back on the Lancashire League and you can never say never – and maybe with the new job I will be in a position where I can play the odd game but I think the days of playing 20-odd matches a season are probably a thing of the past.

“Lowerhouse have been brilliant with me over the years.

“They have not made an issue when I’ve had to pull out of a game at the last minute through work commitments and they have found a place for me when I was suddenly free at the last minute.

“I do miss the dressing room banter and it is different when you are coaching, nothing can really replace the atmosphere so I would like to think I can return at some stage.”