David Graveney has dismissed the possibility of a player strike in protest at the ECB's financial management but has called for 'adult' discussions on the fears expressed by professional cricketers over their futures.

Graveney, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers Association which this week passed a vote of no confidence in the ECB for financial mismanagement following a £3 million loss from Test Match ticket sales, said the association wanted to register their member's concerns but saw no point in striking.

"Sometimes in life you have to make a statement," said Graveney in an exclusive interview with CricInfo.

"By casting a vote of no confidence in the Board, that statement has been made. There is little value is the players striking but the members and officers of the association are concerned about the future and it is right and proper for us to express their fears to our employers.

"The best thing for both us and the Board, is to get together over the next few weeks and talk through where we stand. I have an obligation to represent the fears of England's professional cricketers and we would hope they can be discussed in an adult fashion."

The PCA chief executive doubles as the ECB's chairman of selectors but this dual role, Graveney stressed, involved no conflict of interest.

"I know there is thin dividing line between the two but I believe in my own mind they are separate jobs. I have devoted my life to playing and being involved in cricket administration. The bottom line for me is that England become a better side and that cricket is a good game to play for both boys and girls," he said.

But while he keeps one eye on England's progress on the international stage, he said the futures of domestic cricketers were a major concern and the fall in ticket receipts, as a result of the number of Test matches this summer that were concluded in three days, would have a major impact on PCA members, who were currently renegotiating county contracts for 2001.

"There is a shortfall in the game and that could have a serious impact on our membership immediately because they are negotiating contracts for next summer and it is unfortunate that it has come on the back of what has been a very successful summer for England.

"There are lots of rumours about cutting staff, reducing salaries, shortening contracts. Against that background, players have expressed their concern and as chief executive, it is my job to represent the players and their concerns to the board.

"It is a simplistic view that these difficulties have been brought about by England's success this summer. There are lots of other factors involved that relate back to the World Cup but I know that the counties are also concerned about the amount of money they will receive.

"This is about the immediate and long-term future of our players. As far as the PCA is concerned we have objectives, involving insurance and the retraining players, that we want to achieve so that we can do a better job for our membership.

"We have to portray cricket as a profession that people want to play in. Some players may succeed, some may not but it is important that they walk away from the game saying they enjoyed their involvement. Regrettably in the past, that has not been the case but we want to make that our objective and we need more resources to do that.

"We hope that on the back of what has happened this summer and with the prospect of next year's series against Australia, there will be more sponsors coming into the game and more money in the kitty and hopefully everyone will benefit from that."

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