Friday, October 31, 2008

ECB anger at 'garden party'

Players' chief Sean Morris has likened the organisation of the much-hyped Stanford Super Series to that of "a garden party".

Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, is in Antigua for Saturday's showpiece '20/20 for 20' match between England and the Stanford Superstars and has revealed he is concerned by a lack of professionalism in the event.

The England and Wales Cricket Board are thought to be preparing a review of the competition after concerns over the quality of the pitch and floodlights.

There has also been criticism of the match's benefactor, Sir Allen Stanford, who was seen cavorting with some of the players' wives and girlfriends and has enjoyed access to the dressing rooms.

The Texan billionaire has played down these worries, insisting the pitch and the lighting would be better in the final and dismissing the WAG incident as a piece of harmless fun for which he has apologised.

But Morris said: "We met last night with the majority of players and there is a feeling that they are pretty uncomfortable with a number of things.

"It all gives you a feeling that you are turning up for a garden party, which shouldn't be the case with England cricket. They are turning up for a tough game of international cricket and it doesn't feel that way.

"Instead there is a sense that the game has been devalued in terms of a contest because there is a little more luck involved on these sort of pitches. And that, mirrored with a couple of things off the field, created a feeling that it is not entirely the most professional event they have attended."

Kevin Pietersen's England take on Chris Gayle's team on Saturday night in a winner-takes-all showdown worth $1million to each member of the winning side and $20million in total.

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