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CRICKET ROADSHOWS

Week 13 Preview - 3 Aug, Whitgift (Surrey) ECB ponders Major dilemma

It wasn't meant to be like this but in the aftermath of one of England's finest recent victories the Cricket Roadshow examines how the news agenda got hijacked by matters off the field, rather than by players' deeds on it.

Within an hour of their Lord's victory England's players and management were coming to terms with Graham Thorpe's decision to take a complete break from cricket and then, on Wednesday, ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin stunned supporters with his unexpected decision not to seek re-election.

Thorpe's decision is obviously a major blow for both Surrey and England, especially with the forthcoming Ashes series this winter, but in light of his recent state of mind and performances it was hardly the biggest surprise of the week.

It has been clear to all that his focus has been elsewhere of late – on his acrimonious divorce and subsequent battle for custody of his two children – but his decision will still cause selectorial headaches in terms of England's future middle order.

MacLaurin's announcement was more of a shock as the former Tesco chairman, who's been in the job since 1997, had been expected to continue at the ECB helm for at least another year. By stepping aside now he has opened the way for one of four likely successors to canvass for support with Surrey's Mike Soper initially tipped as favourite to take over.

But if a week's a long time in politics it's positively eternal in sport as each subsequent day brought more names into the arena, including former MCC president Tony Lewis and ex-Prime Minister John Major. David Morgan, Lord MacLaurin's deputy, is also in the frame.

In light of that Saturday's Cricket Roadshow examines the job spec of being the ECB's main man and runs the rule over the prospective candidates to assess their various qualities.

Elsewhere on the programme there is a comprehensive review of England's highly impressive Lord's win and an interview with John Crawley, who dedicated his unbeaten century to his late mum.

Roving reporter Adam Darke investigates life after cricket (with a helping hand from the PCA), former Surrey star David Ward talks about schools cricket and we look back at both of this week's C&G semi-finals.

There will also be all the usual features and reviews from around the country and, as ever, you can have your say by emailing the roadshow team at roadshow@cricket4.com.

Mail the Cricket Show team at cricketshow@cricket4.com

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