Brown has recently returned from a dismal World Cup campaign with Scotland in the Caribbean, and pipped fellow former England internationals Dominic Cork and Chris Adams to the PCA post.

He replaces Martyn Ball, formerly of Gloucestershire, who announced his retirement from first-class cricket in January.

Brown, 37, said: "I'm delighted that the players have chosen me to represent them as their Chairman.

"It's a great honour and I intend to continue and build on the great work already being undertaken at all levels of the PCA, both on and off the pitch."

The Stirling-born veteran had been vice-Chairman of the PCA for the past five years, and Warwickshire's representative on the executive board for a decade.

PCA Chief Executive Richard Bevan said: "Martyn Ball has done a fantastic job for us and Dougie's appointment is testimony to the esteem and trust placed in him by his peers.

"Dougie is a popular, thinking man's cricketer, with a wholehearted 'never-say-die' attitude.

"He has attributes that every cricketer can identify with and in his role for the association over the past decade he has shown himself to be a passionate believer in all we stand for."

Ball also backed the appointment, saying: "I have no doubt that with Dougie's experience of the PCA and of cricket at all levels throughout his 18-year career, he will make an exceptional player-leader."

Brown began his international career with Scotland, but after a brief spell in the England team from 1997/98 he had to wait four years before again becoming eligible to represent the country of his birth.