Clarke backs ICC move to give trio of nations more power

(Reuters) – England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke has defended the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to give Australia, England and India more power in the sport.

It was announced after a board meeting in Dubai last month that a new ICC executive committee would be established to include representatives from the ECB, Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

However, the plan has received widespread criticism with some suggesting the ‘big three’ will take over at the expense of the other cricketing nations.

“The ICC need to go to market this year with their broadcast and sponsorship rights for the period 2015-2023,” Clarke told the ECB website (www.ecb.co.uk) yesterday.

“The ICC president (Alan Isaac) asked India, Australia and ourselves … to come up with a proposal that will guarantee the participation of all nations in those events (because without that guarantee the rights would be seriously devalued) and at the same time benefit all countries. That is what we have done.”

 

Clarke, ECB chairman since 2007, denied that only Australia, England and India would benefit from the changes.

“The perception is completely wrong,” he said. “All countries earn more through this proposal. No one doubts that India’s contribution to world cricket is extremely important and that should be recognised.