Support strengthens for defined international windows ahead of ICC Annual General Meeting
The ICC's AGM in Edinburgh is almost underway.
There is increasing support for defined international windows to be implemented in what would be a radical shift of the cricket calendar, with the issue set to be discussed this week in Edinburgh during the International Cricket Council’s AGM.
The future of the three formats and how international cricket coexists with the abundance of T20 leagues are central to a review by global management consulting firm McKinsey.
It has been felt that cricket is most likely to eventually emulate other global sports such as soccer and basketball, where lucrative leagues dominate and small international windows are dedicated to global or qualifying events.
The two-month Indian Premier League essentially blocks mid-March to May for most top playing countries, such as Australia with the period designated as ‘annual leave’ for their contracted players.
The World Cricketers’ Association last year called for fixed international windows as part of its report looking into the future of the sport.
There is some influential support on the ICC board, with discussions set to intensify at meetings this weekend. “We need it because right now cricket is a big jumble and confusing for everyone,” a board director told Cricket Financial Journal.
“Fixed windows and a balanced FTP around the T20 leagues will be good for all boards who can then sell their rights better. It will be easier for people to follow and enjoy the game more.”
It is believed that there are no concrete proposals at the table, so an imminent decision is unlikely.
The proposed expanded World Test Championship comprising all 12 Full Members, which I first reported in November, will also be debated but a final decision appears unlikely.
No developments likely on Afghanistan women’s issue
The Afghanistan women’s situation has been cricket’s thorniest and saddest issue after their players were displaced and forced to flee following the Taliban’s bloody takeover in 2021.
Last year the ICC, with the cricket boards of England, Australia and India, announced a joint programme to provide financial support for the players who don’t have official ICC recognition but have been touring the UK as the ‘Afghan Refugee Women’s Team’.
Players are hoping that the ICC will recognise them as an international team and commit to long-term funding.
But sources have said that imminent developments are unlikely. “There’s very little we can do as an organisation,” an ICC source said. “I don’t think anything substantial will happen any time soon.”
ICC board set to be revamped
The Associate Member Directors election will essentially kick-off the AGM. As I reported last month, a small field of five will contest after around 10-12 candidates were initially tipped to run.
Eyebrows were raised when Neil Speight, a former board director, pulled out late. There is expected to be a shake-up with Gurumurthy Palani (France) tipped to win a coveted seat on the board.
Palani’s indefatigable effort on the hustings is set to be rewarded and if he does get in then there will be a vacancy on the Chief Executives’ Committee where he currently serves.
Palani is likely to replace veteran board director Mahinda Vallipuram, who appears most vulnerable compared to fellow incumbents Mubashshir Usmani and Imran Khwaja.
Usmani, as head of the Emirates Cricket Board, has been touted as a future board chair having defied the odds last time around and toppled Khwaja’s long stranglehold as Associate chair.
While Khwaja, the ICC deputy chair, is the most experienced member on the board as he approaches almost two decades as an AM director.
Rudie van Vuuren (Namibia) is deemed an outsider despite signalling confidence through the campaign.
New ICC member
Mauritius, the island country in the Indian Ocean, is expected to be the newest ICC member. Following on the heels of the admissions of Zambia and Timor-Leste last year, Mauritius will become the 111th ICC member and 99th from the Associates.
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