UNION_BACK_MALCOLM_22JAN1996

Electronic Telegraph Monday 22 January 1996

Union prepares to back Malcolm

By Mihir Bose

This report appeared in Saturday`s edition of The Daily Telegraph

THE Professional Cricketers` Association, the players` union, are to ask the cricket authorities to look at what they call an imbalance in cricket regulations, which prevents players from making statements but allows managers and selectors to freely question players` ability. A statement along these lines, being vetted by lawyers over the weekend, will be issued on Monday.

Although the PCA will not comment on the Devon Malcolm affair - they feel that they need to talk to everyone before coming to any conclusions - the statement is seen as a clear signal of support for the Derbyshire fast bowler who has been embroiled in controversy ever since his revelations earlier this week about his treatment in South Africa at the hands of the England tour management, in particular Ray Illingworth, the chairman of selectors and cricket manager.

Malcolm described how he came close to hitting Illingworth following a dressing-room row during the final Test against South Africa when Illingworth accused him of gifting the match to South Africa with his bowling. Malcolm also wondered if his treatment was due to the colour of his skin, however since then he has said he did not mean to suggest Illingworth was a racist.

The players` union decided on a statement at a meeting of its executive at Lord`s on Thursday. Although it was a scheduled meeting it acquired added significance given the controversy generated by the Malcolm revelations. With Sir Colin Cowdrey in attendance - he is a patron of the association - it was decided to issue a carefully worded statement which, while not commenting on the Malcolm/Illingworth row in detail, will be widely interpreted by cricketers as coming out in favour of Malcolm.

The players` union stance is all the more significant because David Graveney the general secretary, is a selector along with Illingworth.

Another of Illingworth`s fellow selectors, Fred Titmus, has also sought to distance himself from Illingworth`s behaviour towards Malcolm.

Graveney said: "Yes I am a selector, but my primary task is to be secretary of the cricketers` association. It is my responsibility to look after the welfare of the players and I take that task very seriously."

Graveney is understood to have rung the fast bowler yesterday and the support of the players` union will mean much to Malcolm, who felt that they were not wholeheartedly behind him when he successfuly sued Wisden Cricket Monthly over an article in the magazine questioning his commitment to the England cause.

* THE Devon Malcolm affair has not provided too many laughs, but there was one comic moment. It came when a student radio journalist, seeking to contact Malcolm or his solicitor, rang David Frith editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly. In October, just before Malcolm flew to South Africa, the magazine apologised in court about an article in the July issue which had questioned Malcolm`s commitment to England because of the colour of his skin. The magazine also paid "substantial" damages.

Frith gave the reporter Malcolm`s lawyer`s telephone number then muttered: "It`s a shame people can`t say what they think any more." To whom was he referring? Malcolm, Ray Illingworth, or the writer of the article in his July issue?

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