David Graveney Interview

[Monty 4 PM]

Did anyone else see the interview with David Graveney on The Ashes Verdict on Sky Sports yesterday?

He sat there with his head down, red faced, shoulders slumped like a naughty school boy.

He was defensive, politic and non-commital.

No accountability was shown, (ha laughed at the suggestion he should resign!) his explanations were muddled and he seemed to have no grasp of the real depth of anger feeling shown in emails that were read to him.

If Charles Coleville and Bob Willis dont even know who are the real powerbrokers in the game and who makes the decisions then there must be a problem.

Surely our chairman of selectors should be a commanding, decisive, powerful figure who takes full responsibilty?

Does our amatuerish and confusing set up at management level need an overhall?

If so how?

Does anyone disagree who saw it?

[first change]

Originally Posted by Monty 4 PM

No accountability was shown

Some, me included, would argue that no accountability was needed. Grav only responsible for selecting the touring party - nobody missed out who should have gone. I would have replaced Tres with Ramprakash rather than Joyce, but other than that, Fletcher was given a strong squad which he (and selection committee of players) failed to properly utilise. Not Graveney's fault, although one could argue that he should have more influence on tour.

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by first change

Some, me included, would argue that no accountability was needed. Grav only responsible for selecting the touring party - nobody missed out who should have gone. I would have replaced Tres with Ramprakash rather than Joyce, but other than that, Fletcher was given a strong squad which he (and selection committee of players) failed to properly utilise. Not Graveney's fault, although one could argue that he should have more influence on tour.

If you are correct that Graveney only has the responsibilty for selection then why was he even on the programme?....where is the person we should be hearing from? You know..the one with accountability, because no one seems to know who it is.

Graveney said yesterday that the commitee responsible for potentially changing the management i.e. sacking him or DG, comprise.....wait for this....Himself, Duncan and one other....who I think was Dennis Amiss but I might be wrong.

He is put forward as the voice of England cricket. Either he should take the rap or preferably the men hiding behind him.

Graveney is a decent man...and there may still be a job for him...but we need a visible, leader.

I know some will laugh at this but I think it should be someone in the Botham, Boycott, Illingworth mould.

Nasser Hussain would be an outstanding candidate. Intelligent, diplomatic but a very strong leader.

[first change]

Not sure that diplomacy is one of Hussain's strong points!

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by first change

Not sure that diplomacy is one of Hussain's strong points!

Well more diplomatic than the other 3 I mentioned...thats for sure!

[TopperHarley]

I would point out that, according to several reports (including in the guardian and telegraph) Fletcher did not want to take trescothick in the first place, citing that australia was not the place to take someone in a frail condition.

No to Botham, spends far too much time berating selectorial incompetence before saying he would pick -insert name of latest player to get above 70 in a County game-

Illingworth - did we learn nothing from having him as chairman before? Cue the entire yorkshire team being picked, and always playing two spinners, even at headingly and the oval.

boycott - speaks his mind, but has been wrong in his assessments of players before (Colly, KP spring to mind) also might be hard to retrieve him from up his own jacksy.

I would like someone like Gower as head...gets on with everyone, has a good eye for technique (which would complement Fletchers eye for character) but you can rule out anyone working in telly as they earn far more summarising than they ever would being a selector.

Actually, sod it, get Viv richards in. As a batsman.

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by TopperHarley

I would point out that, according to several reports (including in the guardian and telegraph) Fletcher did not want to take trescothick in the first place, citing that australia was not the place to take someone in a frail condition.

No to Botham, spends far too much time berating selectorial incompetence before saying he would pick -insert name of latest player to get above 70 in a County game-

Illingworth - did we learn nothing from having him as chairman before? Cue the entire yorkshire team being picked, and always playing two spinners, even at headingly and the oval.

boycott - speaks his mind, but has been wrong in his assessments of players before (Colly, KP spring to mind) also might be hard to retrieve him from up his own jacksy.

I would like someone like Gower as head...gets on with everyone, has a good eye for technique (which would complement Fletchers eye for character) but you can rule out anyone working in telly as they earn far more summarising than they ever would being a selector.

Actually, sod it, get Viv richards in. As a batsman.

Ok....I concede...I was desperate for someone with a bit of fight and grit about them. Those 3 maybe not.....But Gower! You gotta be kiddin Topper....for the qualities you listed...and there are more....he is also timid, wanting to please everyone, lacks authority....was a poor Captain and was more interested in drinking champagne than training. Gower???? I dont see that at all. A yes man maybe...the last thing England need.

Hussain is a guy who connects the old style England with the new.....he is very tough...I think the most intelligent analyst on the box, young enough to relate to the players, has everybodies respect through his achievements and would not be afraid of change.

On reflection there is only one man to steer our wayward ship.

[Oliver]

I quite like the idea of Hussain. I'm trying to think of an equivalent of him pointing to the number three on his back and showing three fingers to the commentary box upon actually making some runs in a match in that position two or three seasons ago.

Perhaps that's the way he'd go if he picked three new caps who all performed on the day.

But if they're going outside the suggested gentlemen perhaps they should look no further than Geraint Jones as chairman of selectors thus ensuring that he can play any time he wants.

[Aussie-Yank]

Then I guess Giles would be his Second in Charge then.

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

Then I guess Giles would be his Second in Charge then.

Why not go the whole hog....the committee that Graveney said met twice yearly of Him, Fletcher and The Invisible Man could appoint....erm....Duncan Fletcher....then Jonesee and Gilo would be assured top level jobs no matter how poorly they performed or had sick time off work. They could re-elect themselves every year.