James Whitaker is national selector

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced the change after Miller informed the governing body of his intention to step down during the summer’s Ashes series.

The ECB has also confir-med the appointment of former England wicketkeeper Paul Downton as their new managing director - England Cricket.

Former England all-rounder Miller, 61, took over from David Graveney as England’s principal selector in January 2008.

Since then England have been ranked as the world’s top side and won three successive Ashes series against Australia.

Former Leicestershire batsman Whitaker, 51, who play-ed one Test in 1986, will take over in January having been on the selection panel for the past five years.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: “Geoff Miller has been an exceptional national selector, presiding over selection during one of the most successful periods in England’s cricket history.

“He developed an excellent relationship with the counties and with the England management team and he will be greatly missed by everyone at ECB.

“England cricket owes a great debt of gratitude to Geoff for the outstanding contribution he has made to the game and to the fortunes of our national team.

“James Whitaker brings experience and continuity having been a selector since 2008 and we are convinced he will continue the excellent selection process which Geoff has led so efficiently since 2008.”

The changes at the top of the ECB have also seen the appointment of Downton as successor to Hugh Morris, who is leaving the organisation to take up the role of chief executive at Glamorgan.

Downton, 56, played 30 Tests and 28 one-day internationals from 1981-88 and won six County Championships during his career with Kent and Middlesex.

He also played in two Ashes-winning series and a World Cup final before being forced to retire in 1991 following a freak incident in which he was hit in the eye with a bail.

Since retiring Downton, also a qualified coach, has been an active member of the Middlesex, ECB Cricket and MCC committees and has also forged a successful career in the City with HSBC, Cazenove and JP Morgan.

He will begin his new role in February and will specifically oversee the management of the national teams.

Collier said: "Paul's record of success both on and off the field made him the outstanding candidate to replace Hugh Morris.

"His experience of a World Cup final, Ashes success, six County Championship wins and 58 international appearances for England provides a wealth of cricket experience.

"His background in law when coupled with his experience in the City provides the unique set of skills which is required to lead and manage the England cricket department' s £100m budget over the next four years.

"Paul will inherit a thriving Team England operation which has been exceptionally well led by Hugh Morris and the ECB wishes Hugh every success in his new role at Glamorgan CCC."

Downton said: "I am honoured to have been offered this position and the trust which the ECB has placed in me to lead our national teams.

"Since retiring from the game I have taken a close interest in both county and international cricket and I am excited by the challenge of building on the success which England teams have enjoyed at all levels in recent years.

"My discussions during the appointment process with the chairman, chief executive, the England Team director and one-day coach have provided me with a clear vision of the importance attached to this role and I look forward to forging close and successful working relationships with my new colleagues at ECB."

England's immediate priority is the return Ashes series in Australia which begins next month but some different faces will drive their future direction.

Commenting on his departure, Miller said: "The last six years have been as enjoyable as any time in my cricketing career and it will be sad to step down after a 14-year period as first an England selector and then the national selector.

"However I feel that this is the perfect time to hand over the reins and I cannot think of anyone more suitable than James Whitaker to assume control of the selection panel.

"He has been a most loyal colleague who now has the chance to continue the success to which he has contributed so much, so far."

Whitaker said: "I wish to thank Geoff Miller for his leadership of the selectors since 2008. Geoff's contribution cannot be overstated and I hope that I shall prove to be a worthy successor to a man who has brought stability, diligence and great judgement to our selection process in the last five years."