Gavaskar reappointed chairman of ICC Cricket Committee

The International Cricket Council has reappointed former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar as Chairman of its Cricket Committee - Playing for another term.

The Executive Board of the ICC, at its three-day meeting which concluded in London on Tuesday, also decided to give the next presidency of the world body to Pakistan. Pakistan is likely to put forward the nomination of Ehsan Mani, Chairman of the ICC's finance committee since 1997, as its candidate.

"Gavaskar has been reappointed by the Board today for one more term," ICC president Malcolm Gray announced on Tuesday.

The Cricket Committee - Playing, headed by Gavaskar, considered the growing use of technology in the game and opined against utilising television replays to aid umpires in deciding no-balls and catches at least for another year.

The ICC deplored the recent events at Edgbaston and Old Trafford where Pakistan fans had invaded the ground even before the matches against England had come to an end.

"Ground security is primarily the concern of each home Board but the ICC has requested that all members supply a detailed report, covering local regulations in force at each of its international venues by end of next month," Gray said.

"This will assist the ICC in coordinating among member countries. No spectator has a right to enter the field during play and until the players and umpires have left the field," he said.

The Board also decided that there would be a prize money of $5 million for the World Cup 2003 to be played in South Africa. The record sum would be five times larger than the 1999 World Cup in England.

Gray said the ICC has instituted a 30,000 pound sterling ICC Test Championship Trophy in the shape of a golden mace and it would be presented to the Australian team prior to the start of the Edgbaston Test match.

Gray said Kenya's application for an upgradation from associate to full-member status had been referred to the Executive Board and an inspection team nominated by Cricket Committee - Playing would visit the country to assess its demand.