ICC to discuss change in chief selection process

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – The International Cricket  Council (ICC) will discuss constitutional amendments to abolish  the rotational policy of appointing its head and avoid  “government interference” in the game’s administration at next  week’s conference in Hong Kong.

“Under the new proposal, the executive board will decide the  process and term of office from time to time, subject to certain  qualifying criteria,” the ICC said in a statement yesterday.

“This would remove the current rotational system of  nomination and the fixed term of appointment as set out in the  ICC Articles of Association.”

Any such constitutional amendment would impact Pakistan the  most as the South Asian country was supposed to nominate the  administrator who would succeed New Zealander Alan Isaac, now a  vice president, as the ICC chief in 2014.
Isaac will take over from incumbent Sharad Pawar of India  next year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have been quoted in  the media as saying that they would vehemently oppose the  amendments.

The ICC move to reduce government interference would also  affect the PCB, the chairman of which is appointed directly by  country’s president, who is designated chief patron of the  board.

Sri Lanka is not free from government interference either.  The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is an interim body and issues such  as team selection have to be approved by their sports ministry.

“The full council of the ICC will consider a constitutional  amendment aimed at ensuring free elections of member boards and  avoiding undue government interference in the administration of  cricket, in line with the regulations of other major sporting  bodies,” the statement said.

The five-day conference, which starts on Sunday, will also  consider the recommendations made by the cricket committee that  includes the Decision Review System (DRS) and day-night test  matches.

Ireland, who recorded memorable victories over Pakistan and  England in the past two editions of the World Cup, will have  their fingers crossed when president Pawar asks the ICC  executive board to reconsider its decision to restrict the 2015  edition to the 10 test-playing member nations.

The ICC initially decided to restrict the next edition of  the 50-over World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand,  to the 10 member nations but later proposed a qualifying  tournament for associate nations.