The Professional Cricketers' Association has leapt to the defence of its chief executive, David Graveney, after he was criticised in the Guardian newspaper by Leicestershire's chairman, David Groves. Groves, currently involved in a dispute with several members of Leicestershire's playing staff, complained that Graveney was unjustified in voicing his concerns about the unrest. He went on to call into question Graveney's dual role of PCA chief executive and chairman of selectors, a line of attack the PCA described as "contemptible".

"It is regrettable that the PCA's efforts to resolve genuine members' concerns with Leicestershire have found their way into the public domain," said Richard Bevan, the managing director of the PCA, "but … there are problems at the county which need to be resolved sooner rather than later. [Leicestershire] should also refrain from making personal attacks on David Graveney, the guardian of our member's welfare. Raising his role as chairman of selectors and effectively threatening his livelihood is contemptible.

"I perfectly understand and admire a club chairman who vigorously defends his county; but to respond in the public domain without contacting us to discuss the matter and making a personal attack on our chief executive goes too far. Indeed, his decision to question PCA practices in public only serves to drive the wedge further in between our members and the county.

"Our role is to safeguard the interests of our members and we have been presented by our members with a picture of life at a club where they are given conflicting information and very poor or no communications. Promises have been made and not carried through. This directly affects both the players and their families' livelihoods and is, frankly, unprofessional, unethical and, in some cases, quite possibly unlawful. You would be held to account for it in any business environment and sport is no exception."

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