Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) first vice-president Gary Fray has decided against running for the leadership of local cricket’s governing body at the association’s AGM to be held next month.

Rather than throw his hat into the ring and challenge for Reggie Pearman’s top post, Fray insisted yesterday that he was content to remain in his current position and is instead keen to see the BCB’s current leader serve another term.

“I don’t intend to run for the presidency because I feel Mr.Pearman still has a lot to offer in moving cricket forward . I think he has done a wonderful job as an administrator and I think he has more talent left to carry us forward until he sees fit to give it up,” Fray said.

“As far as I am concerned as his deputy I think he has steered the Board in the right direction and I think he deserves another term.”

When contacted yesterday, Pearman was keeping his cards close to his chest and declined to comment on the subject or confirm he would stand for re-election.

Pearman succeeded El James, who resigned as the Board’s president, after defeating former Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) president Keith Wainwright by a close margin at the BCB’s disputed 2003 AGM held at Warwick Workmen’s Club.

Only last week the BCB announced the resignation of second vice-president Allen Richardson and his intention to run for the presidency, while it is also understood former Board executives Wainwright and Ed Bailey and former national coach Allan Douglas have also expressed a desire to run for the top post.

When asked to share his thoughts on the sudden resignation of Richardson, Fray commented: “It’s a democratic process and everybody is entitled to run for office as long as they are affiliated with a club. So I have no reservations on that because I think this will make everybody stronger and not complacent.”

The Board are scheduled to meet tonight with affiliates at the Bermuda College where it is anticipated members will be updated on ongoing alterations to the BCB’s constitution.

It is also expected that the BCB will appoint a nominating committee at tonight’s meeting that will solicit and receive nominations for the various positions on the Board prior to the AGM and put all nominations to the general membership at the AGM.

“It’s not a free-for-all like it used to be before where on the night of the meeting anybody could be proposed. It’s just not going to happen like that anymore — this is the new constitution,” Fray explained.

“Each candidate has to go through the Board’s nominating committee when it comes to the election of officers. They just don’t show up that night. All names have to go through the nomination committee who then forward them to the Board who will know beforehand who is going to run at the AGM.”

It is understood former national team skipper Colin Blades, Belco CEO Gary Madeiros and well-respected cricket commentator Sean Tucker have been invited to serve on the Board’s nominating committee.

“It’s no longer a matter of getting to the meeting on the night and then all of a sudden somebody is nominating Joe Blow,” Fray reiterated. “Everybody knows ahead of time and this was something that was accepted by the clubs last year. They were the ones who passed it and this is how it now stands moving forward.”