Murray: Count me out race

FORMER West Indies wicketkeeper Deryck Murray has reiterated that he is not remotely  interested in being nominated for the presidency of the regional cricket administration. Murray said yesterday he has not given the matter any thought neither has he had discussions concerning suggestions he may be the ideal person to head the WI Cricket Board. Blessed with one of the safest pair of hands in the Test game in the 70s and 80s, the pint-size Murray was a more than ordinary batsman, who, on many occasions rescued the Caribbean cricketers with his unique brand of level-headed strokeplay. His most famous innings was in the 1975 World Cup in England when he teamed up with Antiguan fast bowler Andy Roberts to stage an improbable last wicket 64-run partnership to beat Pakistan.After his playing days were over, Murray joined the Trinidad and Tobago Diplomatic Corps and was based in New York, USA but is now a Guardian Life Insurance executive.

He was recently appointed the Director of the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre, built by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board at Balmain, Couva. Yesterday Murray said he was flattered that his name has been mentioned as one of the persons who could make an indeal candidate to replace the outgoing Wes Hall who is not standing for re-elections because of ill health. However he said he harbours no such ambitions at this time but appreciated the endorsement of members of the public including Member of Parliament for Chaguanas Manohar Ramsaran, a former Minister of Sports. Murray said that his main focus now is his work at the Worrell Centre as he oversees the resuscitation of Trinidad and Tobago cricket and their bid to win a senior regional First Class championship after 18 years. Ramsaran had suggested the TT Cricket Board of Control should support Murray for the top job after the controversy surrounding the nomination of Guyanese Chetram Singh who was forced to decline after his links to gambling were exposed.

The TT Cricket Board had put their weight behind Singh, following up on a decision of the WICB executive to support one of their own for the position to ensure continuity in their policies and programmes.Singh’s main rival was Trinidadian Willie Rodriguez who was nominated by the Jamaican Cricket Board but he pulled out citing the possibility of his candidature contributing to divisiveness in the regional game. Singh, president of the Guyanese Cricket Board is a licensed racing pool owner in Georgetown. The WI Board will soon re-open nominations to elect a new president. Murray played a major role in West Indies winning the first of two consecutive World Cup  crowns when he was joined by last man Roberts at 203 for nine wickets at Edgbaston chasing Pakistan’s 266 for seven. Murray, who hit an undefeated 61 crafted one of the greatest innings in one-day cricket and was ably supported by Roberts who made 24 not out.