Graveney clarifies ECB's selection policy

The ECB has laid down the law in black and white regarding national selection procedures after Michael Vaughan found himself in trouble over the selection of Geraint Jones.

Vaughan was cautioned for publicly saying Jones would get a run in the side after he was picked for the Test side in Antigua in April. Jones replaced Chris Read, a move which also reportedly upset Rod Marsh, one of the selectors, who was not consulted.

However, in a bid to keep everyone happy, and to keep everyone informed of the proper practice, David Graveney, chairman of selectors, has put down in writing the selection guidelines for the committee, including Vaughan and Duncan Fletcher, the coach.

"We're committing it to paper, but I see nothing different from what is written down here to the policy we have adopted since 1997," said Graveney. "I've put down the process in writing for everybody to understand."

Even though Marsh was a bit miffed at Jones's elevation to the Test side in place of Read, Graveney clarified that it was the coach and captain's responsibility to pick the team while on tour.

Graveney said: "This makes it very clear that the four-man panel selects the touring party, but once it leaves these shores, the two people who are responsible from selecting the team away from home are solely the captain and the coach."