Sir Viv: Give players a fair run

London - West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards says England's cricket selectors must 'get their act together' in a bid to avoid the 'shambles' of years gone by.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney unveiled yesterday the squad to face Zimbabwe in next week's first Test at Lord's.

'Now is the time for the England selectors to get their act together - and get it right for the new millennium,' said Sir Viv.

The Antiguan said quality must be recognised and that those who pick the team should stick by those selected - ir-respective of short-term failings.

In his autobiography, extracts of which were published in the Times, Sir Viv explained: 'You have to make a choice, picking someone you think can do it - sure you will pick a wrong one now and again.

'When you pick someone to play for England it is a big step. Any player needs a run of games to be given a chance. You have to crawl before you can walk.'

Sir Viv cited the 1988 Test series with England - when the West Indies romped to a 4-0 success - as a good example.

'Once more the English selectors helped us no end - and they must shoulder some of the blame.

'In that series their top order was constantly changing; below them the bowling changes were chaotic. The whole selection process was in a shambles.'

'It's a step-by-step process. Some develop more quickly than others - some come very late. These are the things the selectors must be aware of.

'Players need to be given a chance to settle and improve. This is why some international players go on for 12 years.

'A player needs a whole series to find out whether he has the makings of a true Test player.'

Sir Viv believes Mark Ramprakash is a classic example of an England player who has suffered from 'this panic-driven decision-making in more recent times'.

He said: 'He was in and out of the side so often he must have felt he was playing for his place every time he was selected.

'Yet in county cricket he was consistently good and always looked to me to be an outstanding inter-national prospect.'