All is not well within the St. George's cricket league team under Graham Fox, and indications are he will not be captain next season.

But the man who many automatically expect to take over the helm, former captain Wendell Smith, has confirmed he is not interested in the post.

"I don't think it's in St. George's best interest to re-appoint me as skipper,'' said Smith when asked if he was interested in returning as captain, having led the team from 1985 to 1992.

Fox replaced the injured Smith in 1993 and has been captain of the league and Cup Match teams the last three years. Fox led the team to a Cup Match victory in 1994 at Somerset, after taking the league team to the league and knockout cup double in his first season.

That was followed by the knockout title again this year when they beat Bailey's Bay in a 20-overs final.

This year the team finished fourth in the league, qualifying once again for the Camel Cup next year.

However, Fox's style of leadership has come under criticism, not least by some members of the team who, it has been said, will not play under Fox next season.

Smith, who transformed the team into a championship side when he took over from Clevie Wade a decade ago, led them to their first league title in 1988 and another in 1990, as well as three straight Camel Cup titles from '88-90.

The first of those was when the competition was the Premier Cup.

"I think I've had my time and if they don't think that Graham is a suitable candidate for the position then it would be prudent to look towards someone who can grow and develop and enhance the programme over an extended period of time,'' said Smith, 35, and nearing the end of his career.

"They should look to someone like Clay Smith and Dean Minors. We have some very bright cricketers, people like David Adams, Dean and Clay who you can tell have learned their trade.'' A letter written by a St. George's fan eluded to the fact that there is disharmony within the team and that there could be an exodus of players from their ranks if Fox remains as captain. (See sports mailbox on page 16).

One player who stopped playing under Fox after being overlooked for a Cup Match spot, which left the team without a specialist wicket-keeper, was Lewis (Bussy) Foggo.

"I wouldn't say that things are not well with us, I just don't see myself in Graham's plans,'' said Foggo when contacted yesterday.

"It was not just that I didn't play in Cup Match this season, but he seemed to find fault with a lot of what I did. Taking that in mind I don't think I'll play under him again.

"If we have a different skipper next season I'll play, if not I'll spectate.'' Club president Mansfield Smith declined comment on the controversy surrounding the team while Fox could not be contacted.

The positions of captain, vice captain and selection committee are now appointed by the management committee, something which will be done at the first meeting after the annual general meeting when the various committees are put in place.

Graham Fox