Publication date 22nd September 2000

England’s first series win over West Indies for 31 years is given the full treatment by Vic Marks, Tony Cozier and Gus Logie. Peter Roebuck pays tribute to Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, and Phil Neale, the 'Third Man' in England’s management structure, reveals the secrets of their success. "We believe management should stay in the background, promoting the players and not stealing the limelight. Duncan Fletcher's great strength is he doesn’t get too excited when things are going well, nor does he get too down when they don’t. He talks quietly to the players behind the scenes, not in front of others." Phil Neale

In a hard-hitting Top Order, David Green tackles the worsening behaviour of players after a season in which the ECB disciplined umpire Alan Whitehead but not the Sussex captain Chris Adams; and Mark Butcher suggests the National League's gimmicks are masking a lack of entertainment on the field. "From their beleaguered situation, umpires are these days expected to ensure that the game is conducted as it ought to be. Yet whenever their opinion of what is right clashes with that of a player they receive no support from their employers." David Green

Our series on the 'Great Schools Debate' continues with a look at the politics and the playing fields, interviewing the Minister for Sport, Kate Hoey, about her concerted effort to increase participation in sport among the young, and examining the continuing scandal of the sell-off of our green heritage. "Cricket clubs need to recognise the work that goes into sport in schools. There are so many activities for young people to choose from, cricket can’t sit back and expect them just to leave school and join up; you’ve got to go out and get them." Kate Hoey

While continuing his jocular war of words with fellow Last Word columnist Simon Hughes about the high ground in coaching, Ted Dexter also identifies how the balls have changed over the years, and how the fast bowlers are benefiting from it while the crowds are being deprived by early finishes. "It may even be that the “discovery” of reverse-swing was due to changes to the ball’s core. The old-style ball became too soft for the quick men after 30 overs, so the chance to experiment with rough and smooth sides barely came along." Ted Dexter

In the wake of the two-day Test at Headingley, Dickie Bird reminisces about his old stomping ground; we review Oxford 2000, The Cricketer's inaugural festival for wandering clubs from around the world; John Bracewell and Mark Alleyne explain the unparalleled one-day success of Gloucestershire; and we examine the legacy of Douglas Jardine's leg-theory and ask: is it time to bring him in from the cold?

LIFE LINES: what do you think you would be doing if you had not become involved in cricket? "Selling suits. I work for Barclay’s Menswear in Sydney and go there on any day-off I can, as I enjoy the interaction with customers and ability to make sales." Brett Lee

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Andrew Tong
Deputy Editor

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