Adams in frame for top job (From The Argus)

Adams in frame for top job

7:00am Wednesday 10th September 2008

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Chris Adams could be in the frame to become Sussex’s new chief executive.

The most successful skipper in the club’s history would be the popular choice to replace Gus Mackay, who stepped down yesterday.

Mackay, 41, who has been at Hove for two years, was head-hunted by Surrey to become their new managing director.

The news broke on a day when Sussex duo Matt Prior and Luke Wright were named in a 15-man England squad to contest the winner-takes-all £10million Twenty20 game against Sir Allen Stanford’s All Stars on November 1.

Sussex chairman Jim May has already stated the county will not be biased against candidates with a lack of administrative experience when they appoint a new chief executive, which leaves the door open for Adams.

The Sussex skipper yesterday played down such talk, insisting his only focus was on the conclusion to a season where the county have plenty to play for on two fronts.

However, he has made no secret of his desire to take up an administrative role in the game and would love it to be with Sussex, where he has been captain for 11 years and led the county to three Championships and two one-day trophies.

Adams, 38, has been sounded out by Hampshire owner Rod Bransgrove about succeeding Paul Terry as their head coach, although former England supremo Duncan Fletcher and South Africa coach Micky Arthur are now thought to be the front-runners.

He was on the short-list of three when Mackay was appointed in April 2006 but Mackay’s administrative experience, having been chief executive at Leicestershire, got him the job.

Later that year, Adams agreed to join Yorkshire in a dual role as director of cricket and captain only to change his mind and last year he was linked with a return to his former county Derbyshire as director of cricket.

Earlier this year he said: “I have never hid the fact that I would love to stay at Sussex in some capacity once my career as a player is over. I love the club and feel very settled in Sussex and I’m looking forward to new and exciting challenges in the game once I retire.”

If he were to succeed Mackay, he would have to retire and Sussex would also be looking for a new captain.

That is a long way off. Adams said yesterday: “My focus at the moment is getting through our last four games of the season. That is all I want to concentrate on.”

But his is certain to be one of the first applications the club receive when they advertise the vacancy.

May added: “Undoubtedly the job will attract people with different skills. Some will have more of an admin or commericial background and others will have a cricketing background. We won’t be biased one way or another and I’m very open minded.

“I think it reflects well on Sussex that people at the club are regularly thought of in terms of high-profile jobs. Sussex is regarded as a great place to nurture talent in our admin and coaching set-ups.

“We won’t do anything hastily as a club. We will take stock and the appointment will be made in a measured way.

“But I think it’s a very exciting time to be chief executive of Sussex and I’m sure it will attract a lot of good candidates.”

Three candidates were interviewed for the Surrey job, including former Sussex batsman Wasim Khan, but none were suitable so Surrey turned to Mackay.

He said: “While I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years at Sussex the opportunity to be involved with Surrey was an opportunity I could not refuse.”

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