Four ICC members oppose ‘hostile take-over’ of cricket

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates,  CMC-There is growing opposition to a controversial plan by India, Australia and England to control cricket as a crucial meeting of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) governing body takes place in Dubai.

The Boards of Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are against moves to revamp the administrative and financial structures of the ICC which officials say would put more money and control in the hands of the so called big three.

The proposal which calls for an overhaul of the ICC’s revenue distribution also wants a two tier system of test cricket with India, Australia and England exempt from relegation to the second tier.

“Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, we all have one stance,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf told reporters.

“Let us see what we vote inside. We will stick to our stance.”

Cricket South Africa had openly condemned the proposals and called for them to be withdrawn.

Among the other Full Member nations, New Zealand Cricket had come out in support of the proposal while the West Indies Cricket Board only stated that they had taken a position “in the best interests of West Indies cricket”.

A number of former cricketers and officials have blasted the move while accusing India, Australia and England of attempting a hostile take-over of the sport.

The three countries were expected to present re-drafted proposals to the meeting on Tuesday, watering down their suggestions for a two-tier format for Test cricket and the relegation of the bottom two ranked into the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

The other proposal which could be reworked pertains to a newly formed Executive Committee (ExCo) and its possible expansion from four to five, with a second nominee coming in from the “small seven,” as opposed to only one according to the draft position paper.

Intense lobbying was taking place late Monday including attractive offers as the three boards pushing for the changes try to secure support from other members.

If the proposals were to be passed in the form of a special resolution, eight out of the 10 Full Members will need to back  theml, according to the ICC Constitution.