Cricket South Africa president Ray Mali will take over as acting president of the International Cricket Council after the death of compatriot Percy Sonn.
Mali, Cricket South Africa president since 2003, will serve until the ICC's annual conference in 2008 and resign his current position.
He said: "I take this assignment as an honour and a big challenge. I feel lucky to be taking over at a time when the game is in such good shape.
"It is also a privilege to succeed Percy, somebody who was a good friend and a person who worked so hard for the betterment of this great game.
"I am fully prepared to commit myself to cricket and to take the ICC strategic plan forward during my time in office."
Sonn took office last summer and was due to serve until 2009.
