ECB Chief won’t "run away" as "it’s the right thing for English cricket"

02/04/2022

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison has insisted he will continue in his role, stating that he will not be "running away from the challenges".

Harrison also claimed that he is not "clinging on for grim death" but that him staying on is "the right thing for English cricket".

Currently, the ECB are without a chair, director of men's cricket, head coach and chief selector.

Ian Watmore stepped down as chair back in September and a permanent successor has yet to be appointed.

Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood and assistant coach Graham Thorpe have all now left their roles following England 's 4-0 defeat to Australia in the Ashes.

Harrison has also come under-fire for England's on-field struggles as well as off-field problems including the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, with DCMS committee chair Julian Knight saying "the jury is out" on Harrison and the ECB's handling of the issue.

However, Harrison is adamant that he will continue as chief executive, saying: "I think what I would like to do is not to be seen running away from the challenges of addressing the issues.

"We are in a particular moment where we have an interim chair, we’re looking for a full-time chair, and we have a lot of discussions under way.

"This is a moment where I think I have the support of the board and it is a very tough moment.

"Honestly the toughest moments I have experienced in my career but I just feel I need to, until literally I feel it is the right moment, keep going.

"I want to take English cricket back to a place where there is stability and calmness frankly in the environment, and there is a sense we are heading in the right direction.

"We do have to reflect hard on what happened [at the Ashes] but I am not saying I am clinging on for grim death, that is not what I am doing.

"I am doing this because I think it is the right thing for English cricket right now and as soon as that is not the case, you will not have to push me."

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