Chris Cowdrey Adds Name To List For Election (05 Apr 1996)

5 April 1996

Cowdrey adds name to list for election

By Charles Randall

`Only three or four suitable` says Illingworth

ANOTHER renowned name in cricket, Cowdrey, has been added to the long list of candidates for England`s new selection panel, it was confirmed at Lord`s yesterday.

Chris Cowdrey and Geoff Miller were the final two names to be dropped into the Test and County Cricket Board hat before Wednesday`s deadline, bringing the total to nine men contesting two vacancies.

The high number of former Test cricketers putting their names forward could produce two ballots among the 20 TCCB members - the professional counties, plus MCC and Minor Counties Association.

If two or more candidates tie for a place on Ray Illingworth`s committee, a second postal ballot would be required, but at least it would set a good example for endurance and determination expected from the players on field.

The TCCB hope to announce the result of the voting on April 18, and the candidates can be split broadly into two camps - the wise old heads of Fred Titmus, John Edrich and Brian Bolus, shadowed by the relatively youthful David Graveney, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch, Kim Barnett, the youngest at 35, Cowdrey and Miller.

Neither Cowdrey, who was asked by Kent, nor Miller, Hampshire`s choice, sought involvement until approached, and both look suitable choices - as with all the other candidates. Whatever the outcome of the ballot, the TCCB can file the names ofthe unsuccessful men for future use.

Cowdrey, 38, the former Kent all-rounder, has set up a public speaking business called The Great Delivery Company - "because I never bowled one" - and has been employed by Ladbrokes for public relations -"No, I don`t set the odds".

"I thought I would be one of those people who love playing but, as soon as I gave up, I probably wouldn`t want to watch too much.

He said yesterday: "I`m honoured Kent should want to nominate me because I haven`t been on any committees there since I left. I hadn`t thought of standing, but I`m excited by the prospect.

"The thing, I suppose, I`ve got in my favour is age and time availability. I don`t do a nine-to-five job, so I can watch a lot of cricket."

"I thought I would be one of those people who love playing but, as soon as I gave up, I probably wouldn`t want to watch too much. With my relationship with Ladbrokes I`ve been going to every Test match and I`ve really enjoyed watching cricket, which surprised me."

Miller, 43, formerly with Derbyshire, is another eloquent speaker with time to spare from his part-time duties as cricket coach at Trent College. He retains a financial interest in a sports shop in Chesterfield, where he lives.

Miller feels his wide experience in cricket at all levels - from Test matches to minor counties with Cheshire and schoolboy coaching - gives him an advantage. "I feel we need to be positive about things," he said yesterday. "You can`t sit by and see the English game falling down, going down and downhill."

Already on England`s selection committee are Illingworth, as chairman, Mike Atherton, captain, and David Lloyd, the new coach; Graveney and Titmus are seeking re-election.

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