Anger at New TCCB Proposals (14 Nov 1995)

Cricket News: Anger at new board proposals

By Charles Randall

THE weighty 30-page document on proposals for the new English Cricket Board has been lobbed into an unsuspecting community like a grenade with the pin intact.

The first person tempted to pull the pin out has been Lord Howell, president of the Council of Cricket Societies, who used the word "outrage" in describing his reaction yesterday.

The Test and County Cricket Board have proposed abolishing themselves and the National Cricket Association, their recreational arm, and forming a limited company to run the game from top to grass-roots.

Under the proposals each county, including minor, would be represented on the English Cricket Board by one association. Wales would have one voice, making 38 members, plus the MCC as an independent influence.

All counties and dozens of interested bodies, including schools, universities, leagues and women`s authorities, were sent the densely-written, legalistic document last week and given eight days to table amendments.

The TCCB proposals look sensible, as a respectable compromise, but their decision not to publish extracts has hampered public debate.

A TCCB spokesman admitted yesterday the change to one governing body was a complex issue, but he added: "The route we are going, democracy will be increased. The process will be slow, at the earliest 1997."

The professional counties are due to discuss the issue at their TCCB meeting at Lord`s on Dec 13-14.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph