Americas: Successful ICC forum creates optimism

Concern the soon-to-be-appointed ICC Americas Development Officer may be bogged down in preparations for next year's ICC Trophy were allayed at the recent successful Americas Forum.

Officials from Canada, the United States, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Argentina heard the new Development Officer would mainly play an advisory role and would be free to carry out normal duties in the next 12 months.

ICC officials, including present Global Development Officer, Ross Turner, were told what representatives of the five national associations envisage from the new Development Officer.

While they were happy to grant a free range to carry out his duties, it was also requested the Development Officer play a liason role between the national associations, the ICC and the West Indies Cricket Board.

Another outcome was confirmation that the inaugural Americas Nations tournament will be held from August 5-12 involving the above five countries.

The remaining ICC Americas members Bahamas and Belize are likely to be involved in the development process in the near future. Both ICC and national body administrators were keen to stress the two countries had in no way been excluded.