Young ones must master the art of playing spin — David Graveney
David Graveney (R) as the Chairman, Selectors when Nassar Hussein led England
David Graveney, nephew of Tom, who was one of the most graceful batsmen to play for England, is a well-known personality in cricket circles in England. He played in the County Cricket for 23 years, primarily for Gloucestershire. Most important of all, he served as Chairman of the Selection Panel for twelve years. Geoff Miller and James Whittaker were the ones who succeeded him in that role.
Graveney’s abiding interest now is in the development of Junior Cricket. He has just concluded what he terms a reasonably successful nine day tour of Sri Lanka, where they played four matches but won only one. For Graveney, who first came to Sri Lanka in 1985 with the Gloucester side, this is his seventh visit to a country that he has come to love. He is particularly captivated by the people and their smiles of welcome.
Talking of cricket, in general, Graveney is of the opinion that there has been a complete sea-change. There are lots of options in all formats, and the day of the one dimensional cricketer is over. While it is difficult to engage in cricket, staying in cricket is more difficult still.
He feels that the concentration should be on the under 16 age group. Under 19 is too late. This tour received blessings from both the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and the England and Wales Cricket Board. Sri Lanka, too, is enamoured of age-group cricket. The more experience given to young English players to combat spin, the better. Some of the present day pitches are heavily loaded in favour of the spinners. A few are even unplayable. No wonder the Ashwins and the Jadejas of this world lick their chops when handed the relatively new ball. Youngsters should learn not only how to play spin, but also how to bowl it.
The Sunday Times had a chat with Graveney about some of the issues in English Cricket. The name of the now retired Kevin Petersen was at the top of the list. Kevin was a very talented player who played some marvelous innings – notably the hundred in the final test of his initial Ashes Series. The out-of-this world hundred in India where he took on the Indian Spinners and lashed them all over the park is another. Then things turned sour and the relationship ended in somewhat acrimonious circumstances. Happily things have worked out well for both parties.
There is a feeling that Alastair Cooke lingered a tad too long in the shorter formats. Not a player with an array of shots, Cook concentrated on occupation of the crease and waited for the balls to come into his hitting zone. His mental strength was second to none. He was outstandingly good as a person. He may have tarried a bit, but it happens to lots of players. T-20 cricket has raised the bar, and the game is more specialised now.
The England captain has to cope with a lot of public scrutiny and, perhaps, Root’s captaincy will be defined by how he handles it. Much was made of the fact that he has only captained Yorkshire four times. Graveney points out that English players are not available for country games because of their heavy international schedule. Yet Root having captained England Under 19 (much like Atherton and Vaughan) has a lot going for him. Whether he can play all three formats over the next few years is difficult to say. With the international merry-go-round, opportunities for family life become rather limited.
Talking of English captains, Graveney rates Gatting and Vaughan alongside Brearley as three of the better English skippers. When it was pointed out that most of Brearley’s wins were against sides that had been denuded of talent because of the Packer Saga, Graveney retorted that you can only beat what is put before you.
Back to Selections. In 1983, England had Charlie Elliot, a former Derbyshire player and a retired test umpire as a selector. While agreeing that it was a new idea (and a one-off), he feels that what is important in a selector is credibility, and that he shouldn’t compromise on partiality.
Graveney is grateful to Sri Lankan Airlines and Lycafly (a British Mobile Phone Company) for sponsoring this tour. If all goes well, he hopes to be back next year, too.
David Graveney shares a long-standing friendship with former BCCSL President Ana Punchihewa. They were in the same house and in the same dormitory at Millfield School. The only difference, quips Ana Punchihewa, is that David played in the first team while he played in a lower division. Funnily enough, the last time they met was in the Long Room at Lords, during a Test Match.