Horton turns up the heat on Illingworth

Cricket

Mike Horton, the Derbyshire chairman, yesterday renewed his efforts to force the Test and County Cricket Board to take strong action against Ray Illingworth, following the latter's attack on Devon Malcolm.

He was joined by Lancashire, who feel that Illingworth has committed "a prima facie breach of the Board's disciplinary regulations."

Illingworth, the England chairman of selectors, blamed the Derbyshire fast bowler for the Test series defeat in South Africa in an extract from his forthcoming book.

Horton claims Illingworth has abused his position and has lodged a protest with Alan Smith, the TCCB's chief executive. "I expect the matter to be taken to the disciplinary committee and I want to see strong action taken," Horton said.

He believes the book should not have been published while Illingworth was still in office. "That is an abuse of his position and a decision taken on purely commercial grounds.

"To blame one man is grossly unfair. Illingworth believes he's beyond the TCCB and has called their bluff."

Gerard Elias QC, the TCCB discipline committee chairman, is studying the book to see if it breaches TCCB regulations.