da bet vitoria： Reactions from former selectors on John Wright’s comments
Cricinfo staff30-Jul-2006 has revelations about team selection which has elicited reactions from former selectors. Here are a few extracts (published in Mumbai-based Mid-Day) followed by the reactions
Chandu Borde: ‘After all, he was present in all our meetings as a coach and he never expressed such things in the meetings’ © AFP
Team selection and the zonal selection policy
“It is something that’s been happening for long. It is usually two or three players who get to sneak in through such ways. But one should also understand that the selectors are under a lot of pressure.” – Anshuman Gaekwad, former India coach. “It’s nothing new. But it happens everywhere, in Australia, New Zealand… everywhere. The selectors are there to promote their players. They also have to retain their seat and please their zone.” – Ajit Wadekar, former India captain. “As a selector, I have never been involved in anything like that. But you never know, there are good selectors and there are bad selectors. My zone has never pressurised me into anything like that.” – Sanjay Jagdale, former national selector.Double-standards in selection
“I think he is trying to sell his book by raking up all these controversies. There is a lesson for us in this – these mercenaries come to India, stay here for four-five years, they know nothing about our cricket or our system, when they are here they agree with everyone but once they go back after raking in the moolah, they come out with such allegations. Where do you think so many young players came from if the selectors were not doing their work?” – Ashok Malhotra, former East Zone selector “Wright is exposing himself by writing totally untrue matters like this after five years. After having earned over 200,000 dollars annually for five years, it is obvious that he wants to make some more money by writing such things so that the book sells well. He never owned his responsibilities or took blame during his tenure as coach. Why has he not explained his acts of dumping players to please someone.” – TA Sekhar, former India fast bowler. “After all, he was present in all our meetings as a coach and he never expressed such things in the meetings. He used say that he was happy about the players given to him.” – Chandu Borde, former chairman of selectors.Sunil Gavaskar’s appointment as batting consultant
“He is now criticising Sourav for bringing in Gavaskar. If he had a problem why did he not resign there and then?” – Ashok Malhotra. “I was really surprised about what he said about Sourav. I understand that you can always express your opinion in public about your experiences. But John should have gone by the unwritten rule that’s followed everywhere in cricket–never disclose internal matters.” – Sambaran Banerjee, former selector.