No clear favourite has emerged as a candidate for president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control after El James revealed he would be stepping down at the end of the year.

Stunned by this week's news, individuals with long cricket ties struggled to come up with names of potential replacements when questioned about their choice yesterday.

There was a feeling that the two current vice president's Reginald Pearman and Ellsworth Christopher had the experience and either could fill the post. The name of former president Ed Bailey was mentioned as well as former top players Wendell Smith and Gladston (Sad) Brown.

Even former politician and veteran broadcaster Jim Woolridge got a mention for the post, his supporter being ousted BCBC member George (Recman) Holdipp.

Mansfield Smith, long-serving cricket administrator and current umpire, said: "I certainly am not interested in the position and the only person who readily comes to mind who would be suitable is the Board's current first vice president Reginald Pearman.

"He has been a cricket administrator for several years and with that sort of experience behind him he could settle in quite easily."

Smith paid tribute to some of James' achievements.

"One thing I have to give El James credit for was reviving a youth programme, club's should have realised that without one they would have run into terrible problems down the road. James realised this when he came into office and did well to establish one right away, something that his replacement can easily build on and improve," he said. "One fault I have with the current Board, and I can say Boards in the past, is that they have done an injustice when picking senior national team captains. I have questioned many of the captains that we have had in recent years."

Randy Butler, secretary of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association, said he would not be putting his name forward.

"I am not interested in anything like that at the moment, but my choice would be former Board president Ed Bailey. Remember he resigned, he wasn't voted out. He has the contacts, especially at the international level and he did make a huge contribution to cricket when he was in charge," he said.

"Much is said of the current Board's progress with bringing the youth along, but I can't see where many youngsters have advanced through to the senior level. There are very few players who were with the Under-19 teams in the past who have advanced. Where are they? And I can't see where our cricket has advanced.

"Under Bailey we were ranked ninth following the World Cup in Malaysia, now we have dropped down to 14th, that's not progress."

St Clair (Brinky) Tucker, Testimonial Committee spokesman said the successor needed experience.

"I am not interested in a position like that, especially when I have never served on the Board," he said. "I think it would be unfair to appoint somebody to a top position like that who has never been involved with them at an administrative level. Nobody really comes to mind other than Reginald Pearman who is quite suitable, but I don't know if he is interested.

"One thing is that I believe is that we need a person who has the respect of the corporate sector, the players and the fans because his credibility will be vital. I am sad to hear that Mr. James is moving on, he has done a lot for cricket and that fact that a youth programme has been revived after being virtually non-existent for eight years combined with the fact that sponsors have returned to give a tremendous amount of support. The overall sport of cricket has been revitalised thanks to the present Board."

Cal Waldron, PHC skipper said James' announcement had been a surprise to all.

"I am not interested. I don't know anybody who is interested because nobody really knew Mr. James was retiring until this week," he said. "One person who would fit the bill is Wendell Smith, but I don't know if he would be interested. Others who come to mind would be the current vice presidents Reginald Pearman and Ellsworth Christopher, both of whom have a lot of experience as members of the Board."

George ( Recman) Holdipp, a former Board official said he did fit the bill for the top job.

"I am not interested in the position because I haven't had experience in that capacity," he said. "I was a member of the Board but as you know my tenure was shortlived.

"A few people who I have in mind are former Board official Gladstone (Sad) Brown and the Jim Woolridge. Brown is a former national team skipper who has been on the Board and I am well aware of some of his ideas for cricket which I am impressed with while Mr. Woolridge's experience in both cricket and as an administrator has been well documented.

"There are few around as qualified as Mr. Woolridge to fill such a position, nobody has a greater love for the sport of cricket."