Sins of Omission

The men who choose England's cricket teams have been the butt of much media abuse, particularly in recent years. It is Allen Synge's view that the selectors have suffered the still harsher punishment of neglect at the hands of serious cricket historians. "Sins of Omission" is an examination of panel's role, from the introduction of the system in 1899 to the new Ted Dexter regime. But the essential question is how well has the selection system served England in this century? Allen Synge has talked to England's five most recent Chairmen - Dexter, May, Bedser, Insole and Allen - and delved deep into the archives to produce a fascinating study of Test cricket from the fresh viewpoint of the selectors' binoculars.