Player policy: TCCB backs (2 Aug 1996)

2 August 1996

TCCB backs Player policy

LONDON, Thursday (AFP) - Raymond Illingworth, chairman of the England cricket selectors, was backed by the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) on Wednesday for the right to withdraw England players from county matches.

The chairman of selectors believes the national team should have the right to protect their leading men by pulling them out of club engagements.

Illingworth was irritated with his native Yorkshire last season when they rushed fast bowler Darren Gough back from injury and he later had to withdraw from a Test squad.

But when the working party set up by the Test and County Cricket Board to look into the selection, management and coaching of the England team published its recommendations, Illingworth was firmly backed in the county versus country debate.

The report claims the majority of individuals and counties endorsed the chairman being ``given the right and power to withdraw any player from any county match if he deems this to be appropriate``.

It is bound to anger the counties and their supporters, whose sides are already regularly hit by Test calls, if the proposal is adopted by the TCCB.

They also suggest the institution of an `England Management Committee`, split into three sub-committees with responsibility for the selection of England and England A teams, the development of excellence and England youth teams, and international affairs.

The working party also recommends the present England hierarchy -- with a captain, coach and chairman of selectors -- should be kept intact rather than revert to the England supremo role which Illingworth held until this summer.

They do not, however, advocate the coach sitting in on the selection panel, instead suggesting a four-strong team of the chairman, the captain and two other selectors should choose Test squads.

The report stresses that ``by standing slightly apart from the final team selection, he (the coach) would have a little more room for manoeuvre whilst still having a major input``.

England`s workload is also a concern, with the report claiming they have played an average of 152 days` competitive cricket a year, compared to Australia`s 100.

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