USACA accused of stalling once again

It is emerging that the review of the USA Cricket Association's constitution, which is the first and most important step towards the USA being readmitted to the international arena, is not going according to plan.

The entire review has been shrouded in mystery since it was agreed on in June, but it now seems that there have been setbacks.

Cricinfo has learned that the USACA executive has raised objections to the findings of the review committee and has, according to one source, deliberately hampered the process.

In June, the various factions battling for control of US cricket met in Washington with representatives of the West Indies Cricket Board, who had been asked by the ICC to broker a solution, The result of that meeting was a joint media release by those involved in which they outlined the procedure for the coming months, culminating in fresh elections before November 30.

At that meeting it was agreed that the draft constitution would be circulated by August 31 but that date has come and gone. The next stages of the review are, therefore, all likely to be delayed.

It is reported that the delays have come, once more, from the USACA executive. "[They are] effectively stalling the process and stymieing the efforts of those who had worked assiduously to move us closer to once again enjoying the status of associate member of the ICC," said the source. A number of those close to the review are believed to be angry with the conduct of the executive.

As has been the case for several years, the USACA has been almost silent throughout; it has not even officially acknowledged its own suspension by the ICC and stakeholders have been kept entirely in the dark.

Understandably, there are murmurings of discontent emerging among those who have gone along with the review and calls for the USACA to be cast aside and for new groups to take charge.