ICC: World League and membership review proposals to be looked at

Two proposals considered significant to the future of cricket at the non-Test level over the next few years, the World League and a review of the International Cricket Council's membership structure, begin their respective journeys towards ratification when they are put before the ICC's Cricket Committee (Management) later this month.

The World League proposal will be put before a meeting of the Cricket Committee (Management) later this month before progressing to the ICC's Annual General Meeting in June where it will be voted on.

Tentative groupings with possible venues are:

Divison A (possible venue - Kenya) - Kenya, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Canada and the United Arab Emirates

Division B (possible venue - Ireland) - Denmark, United States, Uganda, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Ireland

Division C (possible venue - Malaysia) - Malaysia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Argentina, Nepal

Division D (possible venue - Zimbabwe) - Germany, East & Central Africa, Gibraltar, France, Israel, Italy, Nigeria, Tanzania

Promotion and relegation would take place between the top placed teams of Divisions B, C, and D and the bottom placed teams of Divisions A, B and C.

Promotion and relegation would also take place between winners of the regional Affiliates tournaments and bottom placed teams in Division A.

The membership review will be looked at by the Cricket Committee Management meeting and the ICC's Executive Board for possible recommended changes or alterations. The ICC's Global Development Manager, Andrew Eade, would then refine the proposal and present it to the Development Committee for comment before going to the Annual Council for ratification in June.

Meanwhile, Bob Woolmer, the ICC's High Performance Manager, gave what was said to be an excellent talk at the ICC's Development Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, last month.

Woolmer told the gathering of Development Managers and Officers from all five development regions there were six main aspects to closing the gap in standards between Full and Associate members.

Interestingly, Woolmer said he firmly believed that all teams must play cricket of longer duration (2, 3, 4 days) in order to compete effectively at the top level.

Namibian officials said recently the sterner test provided by competing in the UCB Bowl three day competition was a key element in their one day play improving and subsequent qualification for next year's World Cup. Scotland v Ireland and Malaysia v Singapore are the only regular three day matches played by Associates.

Among the other components mentioned by Woolmer were the need to improve practice facilities at grounds and providing Associates with increased international exposure by providing more cricket against quality opposition.

The ICC will address these areas with all four High Performance countries, Kenya, the Netherlands, Namibia and Canada, with a view to potentially extending the High programme to other countries after 2003.