ICC Board approves changes

The International Cricket Council board on Saturday approved wideranging structural and governance reforms despite complaints that they place too much power in the hands of the "Big Three" of India, England and Australia.

“The Board has made some significant decisions today which provide us with long-term certainty in relation to the future governance, competition and financial models of the ICC," said ICC President Alan Isaac in a statement.

A resolution was put to a vote today and supported by the required majority of the ICC Board, including eight out of the 10 full members. 

Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket abstained in the vote, citing a requirement for more time to discuss the amended resolution with their respective boards.

“This decision comes after extensive discussions between members that I helped initiate and were given impetus through a position paper presented by the BCCI, Cricket Australia and ECB in early January,” said Isaac.

“Since this time a set of resolutions have been drafted, negotiated and modified – based on a set of principles agreed by the ICC Board on 28 January – and finalized at the meeting today. There were eight full members who were in a position to support the resolution today and the two who abstained have pledged to further discuss the issues with an aim to reaching unanimous approval over the coming weeks.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson added: “We now have clear direction from the Board and it is our job to implement the approved resolution.”

The key outcomes of the meeting in Singapore are as follows:

- A Test Cricket Fund available for all Test playing members except for the BCCI, Cricket Australia and ECB

- Full members will now enter into a series of contractually binding bi-lateral agreements

- The winner of the next ICC Intercontinental Cup will be entitled to take part in a play-off against the bottom-ranked Full Member and, if successful, obtain Test status

- The proposed World Test Championship has been scrapped with the ICC Champions Trophy to continue in 2017 and 2021

- Full Members will gain greater financial recognition based on the contribution they have made to the game under the new financial model

- N.Srinivasan from BCCI to Chair the ICC Board from mid-2014 for an initial two year transitional period to 2016 only

“Cricket Australia welcomes these reforms that are critical to the future of the game, covering key governance, on-field, development and financial matters,” CA Chairman Wally Edwards said following the meeting.

“The changes will bring much-needed improvements to the way the ICC operates, ensuring it is a well-managed, well-funded Members’ organisation capable of protecting, promoting and developing the game of cricket into the future. 

“There has been a lot of energy and emotion invested in these discussions. At times it has been trying, but it is pleasing that we’ve been able to find a way forward to build a better ICC."

South Africa had previously opposed the reforms, which met virulent opposition after they were debated at a board meeting in Dubai last month.

But South African board member Chris Nenzani was one of the eight to vote in favour at a luxury hotel in Singapore on Saturday. He did not answer questions about the meeting as he left.

Members of the cricket establishment have lined up to criticise the proposals, with Imran Khan calling them colonial and Lord Harry Woolf, author of a report into the ICC's governance, saying they were entirely motivated by money.

Edwards continued: “In adopting these reforms, it is important to point out that Cricket Australia has no more power at the executive board table than any other member nation. We have committed to being hard working members of two ICC sub-committees that report to the full member board for decision making. We do this for the betterment of the game.

“We are particularly pleased to have made significant changes towards improving Test cricket by putting in place financial safeguards to ensure some nations are no longer deterred from hosting the premium format of the game for financial reasons.

“We are proud of the fact that all international cricket formats will be based on a meritocracy system, meaning if teams are good enough they progress. If not, they drop down. This will make countries focus on their cricket for the betterment of the game. This is a critical reform and lays the foundations for improved cricket competitions around the world which will also benefit from the establishment of a new, robust Future Tours Program.

“It is also pleasing to have settled on a formula which better reflects the financial contribution of each nation as well as their playing performance, development structure and history."

The new financial model will recognise members' contributions in terms of finance, history and on-field performances, a move aimed at providing "long-term certainty of participation" as they negotiate TV and sponsorship deals.

“While we now have a strong platform to launch the next ICC commercial rights cycle, the work doesn’t stop here. There is much to do to ensure these reforms are effective and create a better cricket system around the world. Cricket Australia is committed to ensuring that happens," said Edwards.