GRAVENEY_PULLS_OUT_24MAR1996

Sunday 24, March 1996

Graveney pulls out of battle for England chairman`s job

LONDON - David Graveney has pulled out of the fight with Ray Illingworth for the England chairman of selectors` job -- less than 24 hours after Lord`s confirmed him as a challenger.

Ray Illingworth will probably retain his job as England chairman of selectors`as David Graveney has pulled out of the fight. David`s decision on Friday left Illingworth to continue, now unopposed, as England chairman.

Graveney has effectively been forced to choose between his existing paid post as secretary of the Cricketers` Association, the players` union, and the chance to land English cricket`s top job.

In a statement the Cricketers` Association said there would be "unacceptable difficulties`` for the association if Graveney took on both jobs and he had been instructed to withdraw from the proposed election.

In a terse statement Graveney said that he "accepted the instruction".

Graveney`s backers, led by county champions Warwickshire, had insisted that the former Gloucestershire captain`s union responsibilities would not affect the way he ran the England set-up.

Illingworth, who for the past 12 months has combined his chief selector role with that of team manager, has come in for increasing criticism following England`s wretched form on their South African tour and the recent World Cup.

But in a robust attempt to keep his job, 63-year-old Illingworth questioned Graveney`s credentials.

"What is Graveney`s experience for the job?`` Illingworth asks in Friday`s Daily Express. "He never played at Test level for England, he never even saw a live test match until last summer.``

Within an hour of Graveney withdrawing from the ballot, the Test and County Cricket Board confirmed that Illingworth would remain as chairman of selectors.

"...as there is only one properly-nominated candidate a ballot is not necessary,`` the TCCB said.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)