England pleased with the progress (24 Dec 1997)

24 December 1997

England pleased with the progress

By Richard Bright

ENGLAND'S authorities have extended the selectors' contracts by an extra six months to the end of the 1999 World Cup season in line with their policy of continuity.

David Graveney, the chairman, and his fellow selectors, Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting, were given a unanimous vote of confidence by the England Cricket Board's management advisory committee in a meeting at Lord's yesterday.

David Lloyd, the coach for two years, Wayne Morton, the physiotherapist, and Dean Riddle, fitness consultant, had their term similarly extended.

Tim Lamb, the ECB chief executive, said: "We are delighted with the progress we are making at international level, so it is quite right that we should recognise that progress by rewarding the selectors for their efforts.

"The appointments will also ensure we maintain our current policy of continuity in selection as regards both Test cricket and in particular during the build-up to the World Cup."

Gooch, due to depart as manager of the A team touring Kenya and Sri Lanka next Monday, said: "I'm delighted and honoured to have been asked to remain involved and I look forward to continuing to put something back into the game in my role as a selector.

"We have made real progress lately and I am looking forward to remaining part of the England set-up to ensure that progress continues."

After the selectors were appointed before last summer England beat Australia 3-0 in the Texaco Trophy one-day series and improved on the mediocrity of two previous Ashes home series by losing 3-2 in the Tests. Last week they won the Sharjah one-day tournament, beating the West Indies twice.

Graham Napier, who made England Under-19's first century of their tour last week, reinforced his all-round ability by taking four wickets in 15 balls with accurate inswing bowling in England's 47-run one-day victory over South Africa Schools at Port Elizabeth.

The South Africans' lazy over-rate was penalised, leaving them with only 48 overs for the requisite 269.

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