ILLINGWORTH_STICKY_WICKET_25MAR1996

The Electronic Telegraph Monday 25 March 1996

Illingworth caught on a sticky wicket

Paul Newman on why the chairman may have to stand down as manager

PRESSURE is building on Ray Illingworth to relinquish his position as England manager following the fiasco which has seen him hang on as chairman of selectors by default.

Illingworth is considering recommending a younger man - almost certainly John Emburey or David Lloyd - to work with him this summer while the executive committee of the Test and County Cricket Board prepare to meet on Tuesday to discuss the second half of the all-powerful role Illingworth created for himself at the expense of Keith Fletcher.

Any attempt by the Yorkshireman to earn his second `victory` of the week will be met with dismay around the counties and, most pertinently, within the England team, a group who were refused an official voice in this week`s great debate.

A Sunday Telegraph survey reveals that David Graveney, who pulled out of the election for a new chairman on Friday, leaving Illingworth unopposed, was guaranteed at least nine of the 20 votes had he stood and, with four counties due to make up their minds tomorrow, had an excellent chance of success. Those counties who did stick with Illingworth largely did so to avoid pre-empting the results of the David Acfield Report into the state of the national team, due to be presented to the TCCB on Aug 20.

Significantly, players around the country were last week putting their full weight behind Graveney, who was forced to withdraw by his employers at the Cricketers` Association, and were lobbying their county committees to support the younger man. Sussex and Middlesex, I understand, were two of the four counties who nominated Illingworth but changed their minds because of pressure within.

"Illingworth has become distanced from the England players and I can`t believe he has any support left within the team," said one current England player. "It`s very disappointing that Graveney has been forced to pull out because of a conflict of interests. Why should the fact that he has an affinity with the players stop him from doing the top job?"

"I`m very disappointed that, after all the efforts that were put in, we now find David Graveney is not able to stand," said Surrey chairman Mike Soper. "It`s time for a change."

Disillusionment among those who have been denied the opportunity to vote against Illingworth was epitomised by Surrey who, along with Warwickshire, had nominated Graveney.

"I`m very disappointed that, after all the efforts that were put in, we now find David Graveney is not able to stand," said Surrey chairman Mike Soper. "It`s time for a change."

The most frustrating aspect of the affair for the anti- Illingworth brigade is that Graveney was only standing because John Barclay, an impressive tour manager in South Africa, refused to compete against his chairman.

If the Cricketers` Association, who have paid Graveney #25,000 a year to act as general secretary since 1994, had voiced their objections before their employee had stood, an alternative could have been found.

In this Warwickshire are attracting criticism. Tim Curtis, the Cricketers` Association chairman, blames the champions for rushing Graveney`s candidature.

Yet Dennis Amiss, the Warwickshire chief executive, said: "David Graveney told us in good faith that the Cricketers` Association were happy for him to stand."

M J K Smith, the Warwickshire chairman, was defeated by Illingworth in the race to become chairman of selectors two years ago and has been an active opponent of him ever since, notably when successfully canvassing for Graveney to become an England selector last year. This time Smith has been thwarted.

For Graveney the chance to become top man may have gone. The next blow for him could be to lose his position as a selector as it would seem impossible for him to carry on working with Illingworth.

The counties will, after the management issue is resolved on Tuesday, be asked to nominate selectors and Illingworth, whose reappointment is solely for the next six months, is expected to push for a return for his friend Brian Bolus.

Fred Titmus, at one stage considered by Middlesex as a candidate for chairman, could be under threat. He is another to have become distanced from Illingworth, in his case since last year`s Edgbaston debacle when Illingworth appeared to blame Titmus for not gaining accurate guidance on the state of the pitch. Illingworth, it appears, is running out of cricketing friends fast.

This article appeared in The Sunday Telegraph (24/3/96)

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