Graveney bids for role as England selectors' supremo

THE England and Wales Cricket Board formally invited applications for the new post of full-time national selector yesterday as the latest step towards implementing the reforms recommended by the Schofield Report.

Current chairman of selectors David Graveney has already expressed his intention to apply for the post, which will involve duties both at home and abroad and could command a substantial sixfigure salary.

Whoever is appointed will be charged with heading a four-man selection panel featuring England coach Peter Moores and two other part-time selectors, with the aim of greater consistency and accountability.

Applications will be accepted until December 18 and once a shortlist has been drawn up, interviews will take place from January 7. Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England team, will oversee that process and will select two other members of the interview panel.

The England squad for the tour of New Zealand starting in February will be chosen by the present selectors — Graveney, Moores and Geoff Miller — with a view to the new four-man committee being in place by next summer.

Morris insisted that Graveney, chairman of selectors for the past decade, has been regularly briefed on the changes and added: 'David is very much up to speed on this, he understands it and clearly he's very welcome to apply for the role.

'The nature of the role is changing and we want to get the very best man. The national selector will be ultimately accountable for the selection of the England team.'