The most powerful people in English cricket
Who really runs the game
25-Sep-2003
Who really runs the game? Simon Wilde finds out
1 Tim Lamb ECB chief executive
Lamb, who retired aged 30 after playing for Oxford University, Middlesex and Northamptonshire, was elected to his present post in 1996 on a manifesto that cricket should be treated as "a business within a game rather than a game within a business". The mantra caught the mood of the times: during his tenure cricket has globally transformed itself in the name of commerce. It is now the ECB's financial stability (on a turnover of £67.1m last year, it made a profit of £52.5m) that underpins Lamb's position. But Lamb, 50, has his detractors. His handling of the Zimbabwe affair polarised opinion and his part in the Theresa Harrild sex discrimination case was another low point. He has kept at arm's length the Professional Cricketers' Association, which has unsuccessfully called for 19th county status throughout his reign, and been blamed for over-manning his Lord's departments. Through it all Lamb has proved an adept survivor.
Lamb, who retired aged 30 after playing for Oxford University, Middlesex and Northamptonshire, was elected to his present post in 1996 on a manifesto that cricket should be treated as "a business within a game rather than a game within a business". The mantra caught the mood of the times: during his tenure cricket has globally transformed itself in the name of commerce. It is now the ECB's financial stability (on a turnover of £67.1m last year, it made a profit of £52.5m) that underpins Lamb's position. But Lamb, 50, has his detractors. His handling of the Zimbabwe affair polarised opinion and his part in the Theresa Harrild sex discrimination case was another low point. He has kept at arm's length the Professional Cricketers' Association, which has unsuccessfully called for 19th county status throughout his reign, and been blamed for over-manning his Lord's departments. Through it all Lamb has proved an adept survivor.
2 David Morgan ECB chairman
Morgan, 65, formerly Glamorgan chairman and a steel businessman, took over from Lord MacLaurin in January. As author of the Morgan Report in 1996, he formulated the creation of the ECB as a limited company with a management board along with first-class and recreational policy-making bodies. More sympathetic to the counties than MacLaurin but endured a tough baptism over the Zimbabwe affair.
Morgan, 65, formerly Glamorgan chairman and a steel businessman, took over from Lord MacLaurin in January. As author of the Morgan Report in 1996, he formulated the creation of the ECB as a limited company with a management board along with first-class and recreational policy-making bodies. More sympathetic to the counties than MacLaurin but endured a tough baptism over the Zimbabwe affair.
3 Duncan Fletcher England coach, tour manager and selector
England have given more power to their first foreign coach than to any of his predecessors apart from Ray Illingworth in his brief stint as manager and chief selector. Fletcher has a huge say in selection and dictates when or if England players appear in county matches. Could be more powerful but refuses to get involved in policy outside cricket.
England have given more power to their first foreign coach than to any of his predecessors apart from Ray Illingworth in his brief stint as manager and chief selector. Fletcher has a huge say in selection and dictates when or if England players appear in county matches. Could be more powerful but refuses to get involved in policy outside cricket.
4 Michael Vaughan England captain
Players have short-lived careers compared with administrators and can fall prey at any time to career-ending injuries or losses of form. But as long as Vaughan, 28, is captain his power base is sizeable. With the ECB also keen to use his image to market the sport, he has the potential to foster the game to a greater extent than his predecessors.
Players have short-lived careers compared with administrators and can fall prey at any time to career-ending injuries or losses of form. But as long as Vaughan, 28, is captain his power base is sizeable. With the ECB also keen to use his image to market the sport, he has the potential to foster the game to a greater extent than his predecessors.
5 Rod Marsh National Academy director and England selector
Marsh, 55, an Australian Test great, heads English cricket's big project as director of the National Academy. His brief is to build an England side capable of winning the next World Cup and his promotion in May to the Test selection panel enables him to keep that mission on track.
Marsh, 55, an Australian Test great, heads English cricket's big project as director of the National Academy. His brief is to build an England side capable of winning the next World Cup and his promotion in May to the Test selection panel enables him to keep that mission on track.
6 Mike Soper Chairman of First-Class Forum
As chairman at Surrey, Soper helped turn the club into a sporting and commercial heavyweight. Now deputy chairman of the ECB, and chair of the First-Class Forum, he has a big say in policy. A moderniser, he is ready to make the game more accessible to the public.
As chairman at Surrey, Soper helped turn the club into a sporting and commercial heavyweight. Now deputy chairman of the ECB, and chair of the First-Class Forum, he has a big say in policy. A moderniser, he is ready to make the game more accessible to the public.
7 Mark Thompson Chief executive of C4
As chief executive of the only terrestrial channel producing live cricket coverage, Thompson wields increasing influence on the game. C4 - and satellite broadcaster Sky Sports - funded the ECB's present three-year TV deal worth £147m and in return command a say when England play (10.45am starts) and how often (hence rise in Tests and ODIs).
As chief executive of the only terrestrial channel producing live cricket coverage, Thompson wields increasing influence on the game. C4 - and satellite broadcaster Sky Sports - funded the ECB's present three-year TV deal worth £147m and in return command a say when England play (10.45am starts) and how often (hence rise in Tests and ODIs).
8 David Stewart Surrey chairman
Stewart's profile is low but he is an influential voice in the ECB's financial planning. A former senior tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London, he moved from treasurer at Surrey to chairman when Soper left.
Stewart's profile is low but he is an influential voice in the ECB's financial planning. A former senior tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London, he moved from treasurer at Surrey to chairman when Soper left.
9 John Carr Director of cricket operations at ECB
After the Zimbabwe row Carr, 40, was given overall charge of England affairs and guides Fletcher, Vaughan and the players on ECB policies, ethos and objectives. He followed Lamb to Oxford and Middlesex as a player and could be his heir, although there will be mutterings along class lines if he is.
After the Zimbabwe row Carr, 40, was given overall charge of England affairs and guides Fletcher, Vaughan and the players on ECB policies, ethos and objectives. He followed Lamb to Oxford and Middlesex as a player and could be his heir, although there will be mutterings along class lines if he is.
10 David Graveney Chairman of selectors
Graveney is the Clapham Junction of English cricket; most things pass through him at some time or other. Through his selectorial work and involvement with the PCA, Graveney, 50, has assembled more contacts in the game than anyone - not always a help when it comes to picking the best 11 cricketers in the country.
Graveney is the Clapham Junction of English cricket; most things pass through him at some time or other. Through his selectorial work and involvement with the PCA, Graveney, 50, has assembled more contacts in the game than anyone - not always a help when it comes to picking the best 11 cricketers in the country.
11 Richard Bevan Chief executive of the PCA
Bevan narrowly edges out Des Wilson, the ECB'S chief marketing adviser. Bevan rose to prominence during the Zimbabwe saga when he filled the power vacuum that existed between the England players and the ECB. Popular with many players who feel he has their interests at heart.
Bevan narrowly edges out Des Wilson, the ECB'S chief marketing adviser. Bevan rose to prominence during the Zimbabwe saga when he filled the power vacuum that existed between the England players and the ECB. Popular with many players who feel he has their interests at heart.
Simon Wilde is cricket correspondent of the Sunday Times
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