England's Showing In Zimbabwe Horrified ECB Chief (10 Mar 1997)

10 March 1997

Zimbabwe showing `horrified` ECB chief

By Charles Randall

THE chief executive of the England Cricket Board has declared himself to be "absolutely horrified" with England`s showing in Zimbabwe this winter.

It was not the content of Tim Lamb`s weekend comments that would have raised eyebrows among the cricket fraternity but his decision to give his view at all, his first big risk as a leader.

He echoed criticisms suffered by David Lloyd, England`s coach, and his team from the media and from the Zimbabweans themselves for their conduct and ungracious comments during the tour - not least for Lloyd`s infamous "we murdered `em" claim after the scores-level drawn Test in Bulawayo.

Lamb, who visited Zimbabwe with Lord MacLaurin, the ECB chairman, gave credence to general disenchantment when he spoke at a Council of Cricket Societies meeting in Birmingham.

He said: "We were absolutely horrified by what we saw in Zimbabwe. We were very, very disturbed by some of the things we came across.

"We thought David Lloyd`s comments were completely inappropriate. We were not happy with the way the England team presented themselves. We understand their demeanour was fairly negative and not particularly attractive.

"I think the way they presented themselves in terms of their dress left a lot to be desired. That was a factor in Tetley Bitter not renewing their sponsorship. Things improved in New Zealand, but there`s a long way to go."

He did not back down yesterday. "Nothing that I`ve said has not already been said with regards to the Zimbabwe tour."

He added: "We`re 100 per cent behind David Lloyd and the England management, and it`s the Board`s intention to do everything possible to help us have a successful summer series against Australia."

Lamb`s comments - either a bold statement of the well-known or an invitation for counter-criticism - made a startling contrast with the days of the defunct TCCB, who so often came over as a timid, secretive organisation.

England`s management committee, headed by Bob Bennett, are due to scrutinise the three winter tour reports from England, England A and England Under-19s on Thursday; discussions with Lloyd and Michael Atherton, England`s captain, are not scheduled until April.

Lloyd, with 18 months of his contract to run, did not comment yesterday, and Lamb said he would be making contact to discuss his weekend comments.

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