Dehring brings experience to US problem

Chris Dehring, who headed the organising committee of the World Cup, has been named as the independent third party in attempts to resolve the dispute which led to the United States being suspended from international cricket by the ICC.

The two main factions - the official USA Cricket Association and a group of disgruntled league presidents - met in Washington in June where they agreed to put aside their differences and work towards finding a solution.

That meeting was chaired by Ken Gordon, the erstwhile president of the West Indies board, and the two factions agreed to appoint a reconciliation commission headed by John Aaron, the president from the New York region, and consisting of four lawyers and Julian Hunte, who last week replaced Gordon as WICB president.

That commission examined the new constitution which is at the centre of the row. Drawn up by the USACA, its opponents were highly critical of it, and the commission's report will be submitted to a three-man panel comprised of Dehring, Aaron and Gladstone Dainty, the USACA president.

The other main issue causing friction is the national elections. These were held in February but were roundly condemned as the timescale given to members was general considered to be unacceptable, and there were also allegations of widespread flaws. The Washington meeting set a date of November 30 by which time new elections had to be held.

The next round of meetings are scheduled to take place this weekend (August 11 and 12) in Miami and it is understood that Gordon will again be in the chair although Hunte will also be present, as will Dehring.

The USA remains suspended from all international competition and, crucially, is not in receipt of any funding from the ICC. That position will not change until after elections have been held at the earliest.