Tim Lamb's position as ECB chief executive has been shaky ever since the indecisive handling of England's World Cup match in Zimbabwe last year.
 Lamb and the England players have not always seen eye to eye |
The board seemed unprepared for the crisis which rapidly developed in Cape Town, and also for the reaction of the players who, virtually to a man, opposed making the trip.
Nasser Hussain, the captain, spoke of being 'hung out to dry', so the fact that there is still prevarication and uncertainty about England's tour of Zimbabwe this winter led to some county chairmen questioning Lamb's leadership qualities.
The biggest mistake in the current saga was the publication in the media of Des Wilson's report about the postponement of tours on moral grounds before the management board of the ECB had seen it.
Worse still, this tipped off the ICC which then rushed through the threat of punitive punishments should England not go to Zimbabwe in November.
 |  Sometimes, if you're not careful, the job can almost take over your life completely |
There are many within the game that feel that the ECB leadership simply has not been robust enough in dealing with the ICC over this issue, and the worry is that, once again, the players will be left isolated and in danger of being used as political pawns.
An added concern was the instant rejection by the county chairmen of the ECB's recommendations for the restructuring of the domestic game in 2006.
As chief executive, Lamb was held ultimately responsible for the document although the review was led by one of his possible successors, John Carr.
It may be that Lamb viewed this as a vote of no confidence, in effect, and decided that the time had come to go.
 Overhauling the county game will be a challenge for Lamb's successor |
There is great irony here in that Lamb has, for eight years, been the public face of the ECB, continually defending the poor record of the England team.
Tirelessly, he would appear on radio phone-ins to paint as bright a picture as he was able, and now with the team having won four of their last five Tests, including their first series in the West Indies for 36 years, he is on the way out.
With Lord MacLaurin, the former chairman, Lamb introduced two divisions for the County Championship, and the central contract system upon which England coach Duncan Fletcher heavily relies.
He is personable and popular; England's rather awkward relationship with fellow members of the ICC is certainly not down to him.
And by its very nature, the job is an impossibly difficult balancing act between establishing a successful international team, appeasing the counties - who are always wary of reform - and running a business.
His successor will not find the task any more straightforward.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
