MacLaurin's legacy must be allowed to be lasting

Departing chairman of the ECB has introduced sweeping reforms that have safeguarded the future of the game in this country

Lord Maclaurin's announcement that he will not stand for re-election as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board has brought the English game to an untimely crossroads.

With the national team showing clear signs of progress under the stability and guidance of the game's three most important figures – the captain, Nasser Hussain, the coach, Duncan Fletcher and the chairman, Lord MacLaurin – the counties now have a huge judgement to make over which path they wish to take English cricket down.

It will be hoped that the new chairman brings in some fresh, exciting ideas that takes the game forward but does not undo the good work that has been done by MacLaurin.

The decision of the 65-year-old former chairman of Tesco to stand down, having stated that he was prepared to step aside if someone stood against him, leaves the way open for a battle for control between three men. The chairman of Surrey, Mike Soper, was the first to put his name in the hat and MacLaurin's deputy chairman, David Morgan, and Tony Lewis, the former president of the MCC, have also emerged as contenders.

Last night Soper said that due to MacLaurin's announcement he would think twice before standing in the way of Morgan, who is known to share the Surrey man's penchant for more gradual reforms. But while all three of the candidates would be prepared to go around each of the 18 counties, and the MCC, canvassing for a vote here and a vote there, this would not have been MacLaurin's style. He would prefer to be judged on the progress made during his tenure and you can almost hear him saying to any would-be successor: "If you think you can do any better, then go ahead."

Explaining his decision yesterday, MacLaurin said: "It has been an immense privilege and honour to serve as chairman of the ECB and I believe we have achieved much in the past six years. However, after giving the matter a great deal of thought I have concluded that I no longer have the necessary time to devote to this very important role."

Tim Lamb was full of praise for MacLaurin's achievements. "Ian has made a huge contribution to cricket and can feel justifiably proud of the achievements of the ECB. I fully understand the reasons for his decision and there is no doubt that cricket in England and Wales is in a much stronger position than when he took office," the ECB's chief executive said. "I look forward to working with the new chairman for the benefit of the whole game."

Whoever that turns out to be will have a tough act to follow. Since taking over as chairman in the autumn of 1997, MacLaurin has successfully guided English cricket through a period of significant change. Sweeping reforms were made as MacLaurin realised that the financial future of the game depended on the national side. MacLaurin saw that the England cricket team is the game's shop window and in order for it to attract customers a plan was put into place to gear everything into the domestic game towards making the side the best it could be.

In MacLaurin's brave new world county cricket was no longer the back-bone of the game. Ultimately, that led to people standing against him.

Under MacLaurin, three major changes have been made to the structure of the game and two have already proved successful. The first was the introduction of two-division cricket. This was brought in to raise the standard of first-class cricket through increasing the intensity and competitiveness of the domestic game.

The next was central contracts. By signing up England's élite cricketers, the captain and coach can now control when and where the core of the team plays its cricket. This made England the priority rather than county cricket and was therefore another far from popular move.

The third and final reform was the setting up of a National Academy. Its aim is to develop England's young talent and, while Alex Tudor and Simon Jones clearly benefited from a winter with Rodney Marsh, there are still concerns of the type of cricketer which should attend.

Off the pitch there can have been few criticisms in MacLaurin's ability to attract sponsors and secure television deals. Through convincing the Government that Test match cricket should be de-listed – allowing the game to negotiate deals with both terrestrial and satellite companies – he has gone a long way in securing the immediate future of the game. The last deal between the ECB and Channel 4/Sky was worth £147m, a figure which compares favourably with other sports.

In other areas he was the first chairman of an International Cricket Council member to take a strong stance on the match-fixing scandal that broke over two years ago. Understanding the impact such disgrace could have on the game, he immediately called a meeting and made all the member countries sign a declaration that their affairs were clean and honest.

Indeed, other than convincing the counties that the game in its present format is going in the right direction, it is from the ICC that the new chairman will face his biggest challenge. No matter what is said there is a danger of a black-and-white split in the game and fighting for what is right for English cricket will need a strong, clear minded man who is prepared to give up a lot of his time for little financial reward. In other words, someone just like Lord MacLaurin.

THE CONTENDERS WHO WILL BE THE NEW ECB CHAIRMAN?

MIKE SOPER

Age: 56. Astute businessman, shrewd political animal, great fighter and survivor – at present battling against cancer. Elected to Surrey chairmanship in 1995 when county was riven by internecine politicking. Led Surrey to success on field and financial triumphs off it. Sharp analytical brain; goes straight to the point. Good listener. Wants gradual reform, but not at expense of counties' power base.

Disadvantages: Chairman of one of the Test match ground counties which may not appeal to the shires. Regarded by some as being too direct. Looked upon by a few as being a loose cannon.

TONY LEWIS CBE

Age: 64. Broadcaster and journalist. Played for Cambridge University and Glamorgan, whom he led to County Championship in 1993. Chairman when Glamorgan won Sunday league in 1993 and County Championship in 1997. Captained England (1972-73) on his debut on tour of India and Pakistan. Immediate past president of Marylebone Cricket Club. Former chairman of Welsh Tourist Board.

Disadvantages: May be thought out of touch with thinking in the shires. Also perceived as a clone of Lord MacLaurin and would look to implement the Knebworth reforms, albeit with a softer touch.

DAVID MORGAN

Age: 64. Former commercial director of European Electrical Steel. Former deputy chairman (under Tony Lewis) of Glamorgan and chairman from 1993 until 1998. Chairman of the First-Class Forum. Closely involved with Lord MacLaurin in helping set up the restructured Test and County Cricket Board and turning it into the England and Wales Cricket Board. Would not rush decision-making where future of game and county are at stake.

Disadvantages: The fact that he is Lord MacLaurin's deputy may mean that he will be viewed as someone likely to carry on the "good" work.

Profiles by David Llewellyn