Phil Unsworth, who has played more than one hundred times for the MCC, is to coach the Island's Senior and Junior Development squads in the 2014 season.

His main role will be to train the seniors in the preparation and run-up to the ICC Division Two Tournament in June. Phil will be running all the training sessions, hold one-to-one meetings with the squad and also support the junior teams.

He has long been associated with the Isle of Man through the annual MCC tours and will provide cover for the departing CDO Gareth Dawson who is taking up a new position with the Gibraltar Cricket Board.

Neill Angus, chairman of the Isle of Man Cricket Association, noted that Phil brings an enormous amount of enthusiasm for the game as well as the benefit of his experiences in Lancashire with his home club, Ormskirk. He also plays a major role in promoting and developing cricket with the MCC.

The appointment is just for the new season. This arrangement gives the Association more time to identify and recruit a suitable long term replacement.