Angry Allan Lamb To Quit First-Class Game (01 Apr 1996)

Angry Lamb to quit game

BY JOHN BURROWS

ALLAN LAMB, a veteran of 79 Tests and a Northamptonshire stalwart since 1978, last night announced his retirement from firstclass cricket because of a commitment to publish his autobiography later this year.

Lamb 41, who was to have played one more season for his county, said he was being forced out of the game because he refused to be gagged by the TCCB players` contract, which forbids publication of any material without official permission.

His book is to include details of the Pakistani ball-tampering row in 1992 and the subsequent handling of the affair of the TCCB. Lamb`s outspoken comments then landed him with a 5,000 fine by Lord`s, later reduced to 2,000 on appeal.

In an article in a Sunday newspaper, the South African-born batsman, who has scored 4,656 runs for England at an average of 36, said: "It should never have come to this. I have been forced to retire from cricket because the men who run the game are terrified of their own players and terrified of the truth."

Lamb`s testimonial year is to go ahead as planned, with the full approval of Northamptonshire.

He added: "The issues here are simple: I will publish my autobiography this summer, at the same time that Pakistan will be here on tour. It is a contract I entered into three years ago, and it is one I will honour.

"The TCCB do not want the book published then - if at all - and, because of the contract that all county players are forced to sign with the TCCB, if I continue to play cricket they will have the power to prevent me telling my story. And I have no doubt that they would use that power."

Lamb`s testimonial year is to go ahead as planned, with the full approval of Northamptonshire.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire have nominated their former captain, Kim Barnett, for the England cricket selection committee.

Chairman Mike Horton said: "Kim is a current senior player and that is the kind of voice that has not been heard in selection committees for some time. Who better to assess current players than somebody who is still among them?"

Horton also revealed why Derbyshire are keen to see Ian Botham involved in the England set-up. He said: "We have to back Ian because we wanted him to replace Ray Illingworth as chairman of selectors. We believe Ian could contribute a great deal to the English game."

Derbyshire all-rounder Dominic Cork has declared himself fit for the start of the season after a knee problem forced him to miss the World Cup quarter-final against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Cork said yesterday: "As far as I`m concerned the season can`t start soon enough. "I feel fine and I`m keen to play in Derbyshire`s first game against Cambridge University on April 20."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)