Griffith still in picture

Beaten, but unbowed, Charlie Griffith is still willing to play a part in Barbados' cricket.

The former West Indies fast bowling supremo was defeated by Owen Estwick for the post of second vice-president, but he has pledged his support for the new administration of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA).

Estwick, a well-respected administrator, polled 330 votes to Griffith's 279 at the annual general meeting on Tuesday. Griffith was knocked off the board for the first time since 1983.

"It was 25 hard years, a thankless job of being a selector, but I have lived through it," Griffith said of his stint as a national selector, which started back in 1974.

Griffith, who took 92 wickets in 28 Tests, was speaking just after announcing the national team for the upcoming Red Stripe Bowl regional One-Day competition.

Griffith, who assumed the role as chairman in the early 90s after Keith Walcott stepped down, said he was unsure if he wanted to continue as chairman.

However, he added that he was still willing to assist the BCA and work on any committees they saw fit to appoint him to.

He received a strong vote of confidence from new president Sir Conrad Hunte.

"We have confidence in Charles and his colleagues and we decided we would support him and his friends (fellow selectors) to carry on until the end of this season (Red Stripe Bowl)," he said.

Sir Conrad added that in the past the chairman has always been a member of the board, but because of Griffith's input, experience and vast knowledge the board would consider a retention.

"We have not made any decision yet, so I cannot promise anything, but what I can tell you is that Charles still has a role to play," said Sir Conrad, who was a team-mate of Griffith with Empire, Barbados and the West Indies in the 1950s and 60s.

Under Griffith's chairmanship Barbados has done reasonably well, winning the regional four-day competition on three occasions.

He took a hands-on approach to the job, being seen frequently in the dressing room with the players and even training with them occasionally.