R Bright: Selectors overlook Lewis (28 Jul 1998)

28 July 1998

Cricket World Cup: Selectors overlook Lewis

By Richard Bright

Chris Lewis is the most notable omission from a 37-man provisional World Cup squad announced by England's selectors yesterday.

The Leicestershire all-rounder, who was recalled to the international stage for the Texaco Trophy defeat against South Africa in May, now finds that the likes of uncapped trio Ian Austin, Mark Alleyne and Vince Wells have moved ahead of him in the pecking order.

Eight players yet to represent England at senior level are included in a squad named now chiefly so that fitness adviser Dean Riddle can start each on specific World Cup build-up programmes.

The other five new names are batsman Ben Smith, wicketkeepers Warren Hegg and Paul Nixon, fast bowler Ed Giddins and spinning all-rounder Paul Grayson.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, said: "It's important to stress that this squad selection remains open-ended as we don't have to name our official provisional World Cup squad until January 15 next year.

"As such, we have plenty of scope to add in-form players to this party over the next few months, if appropriate. We'll be looking particularly at the up-coming England Under-19 games in which Graeme Swann and Paul Franks, for instance, might make strong cases for inclusion." On Lewis, who played in the 1992 World Cup final, Graveney would only say that he - like other disappointed players - had to "roll up their sleeves" in a bid to gain late selection.

Initially, England's 14-strong squad for next month's triangular tournament against South Africa and Sri Lanka will be taken from this squad - as will the First-class Counties Select XI due to play South Africa at Headingley on Aug 12.

Graveney added: "This selection also confirms our policy of identifying a group of players for the World Cup in order to work with them and develop our strategy during a busy run-up to the tournament - including matches in Bangladesh, Australia and Sharjah - over the coming months."

Mike Atherton, John Crawley, Angus Fraser and Ian Salisbury - four players not always thought in the past to be one-day international certainties - will be relieved to see their names on the list.

M A Atherton (Lancs), C J Adams (Sussex), A D Brown (Surrey), J P Crawley (Lancs), G A Hick (Worcs), N Hussain (Essex), N V Knight (Warwicks), G D Lloyd (Lancs), D L Maddy (Leics), M P Maynard (Glam), M R Ramprakash (Middx), B F Smith (Leics), A J Stewart (Surrey), G P Thorpe (Surrey).

I D Austin (Lancs), D G Cork (Derbys), A R C Fraser (Middx), E S H Giddins (Warwicks), D Gough (Yorks), D W Headley (Kent), P J Martin (Lancs), C W Silverwood (Yorks).

M W Alleyne (Gloucs), D R Brown (Warwicks), M A Ealham (Kent), M V Fleming (Kent), A Flintoff (Lancs), A J Hollioake (Surrey), B C Hollioake (Surrey), R C Irani (Essex), V J Wells (Leics).

W K Hegg (Lancs), P A Nixon (Leics).

R D B Croft (Glam), A F Giles (Warwicks), A P Grayson (Essex), I D K Salisbury (Surrey).

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