Chappell, Holding part of ACF advisory board

The American Cricket Federation has announced the creation of a seven-man honorary advisory board comprised of current and former international cricketers including Michael Holding and Ian Chappell. The move is a significant boost to ACF's credibility on the world stage and furthers its attempts to challenge the USA Cricket Association's status as the ICC-recognised national governing body in America.

"I've been aware of many attempts to move cricket forward in the USA," Chappell said in an ACF press release, "and I'm also aware that there has been a lot of bickering among the different administrations. With that in mind, I'm hopeful that the ACF can overcome these difficulties and get the game moving forward in the USA at an improved pace."

In addition to Holding and Chappell, other members of the panel include former West Indies batsman Alvin Kallicharran, former Australian Test players Damien Martyn, Stuart MacGill and Nathan Bracken, and current Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien. In November, the ACF organized a cricket clinic led by Holding and Kallicharran in Washington, D.C.

Jamie Harrison, chief executive of ACF, had established relationships over the last several years with Martyn, MacGill and Bracken while serving in his role as president of the US Youth Cricket Association prior to joining ACF. Harrison and the USYCA hosted MacGill in New Jersey last April where the former Australian legspinner held a coaching camp for youth cricketers in the area.

"We are delighted to have the support of these legendary cricketers as we move forward with the ACF mission to develop the game in the United States," Harrison said in the release. "The breadth of knowledge and experience that these individuals bring to the table will be of great value to us as we chart the future of cricket in America, and we are thankful for their backing."