Sweeping changes to the governance of world cricket have been approved at a meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) board.
Here, Sport360° explains those key changes:
EXCO AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The formation of the new executive committee ( ExCo) and revamp of the finance and commercial affairs committee (FCA) has been especially contentious.
It has been agreed – with just two full-member abstentions – to have two committees of five, both containing representatives from the ‘big three’ and two others to be elected. The framework will be adopted for an initial two-year ‘transitional’ period.
Cricket Australia’s Wally Edwards will chair the ExCo, and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Giles Clarke will continue to do likewise on the FCA.
BCCI’s N SRINIVASAN TO BE BOARD CHAIRMAN
Srinivasan, head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will be chairman of the ICC board – ‘the primary decisionmaking body’ – from July this year.
Again that term will be for two years, after which “all full member directors (will be) entitled to stand for election”.
NEW FINANCIAL MODEL
An enhanced share of revenue will be given to certain members “based on the contribution they have made to the game, particularly in terms of finance, their ICC history and their on-field performances in the three formats”.
The ‘big three’ can obviously be expected to score heavily here, although there is an assurance from ICC that “none of the full members will be worse off than they are at present”.
The professed intention, in fact, is that “all will be significantly better off”.
END OF THE TEST CHAMPIONSHIP
A workable format could not be agreed for this competition and therefore – to no one’s surprise – the idea has been scrapped before any edition of it has ever been held.
After one four-year delay already, the inaugural event in 2017 will be replaced by the return of the ICC Champions Trophy – a ‘mini-World Cup’ – in 2017 and 2021.
TEST CRICKET FUND
A substantial sum will be ring-fenced for all Testplaying countries, apart from the ‘big three’. This is a recognition of the need to “protect” Test cricket, which might otherwise be a major financial burden to those members who find it more difficult to derive a sustainable revenue from it.
PROMOTION / RELEGATION
Of particular interest and doubtless a source of great encouragement to the leading associate members, such as Ireland. The winners of the next ‘Intercontinental Cup’ – Ireland are the current holders – will be eligible to a playoff against the team ranked bottom of the ICC rankings for the right to Test status.
A “clear pathway to playing Test cricket” has therefore been created for those who previously encountered a “glass ceiling”.
