ICC adopts new protocol for cancelled tours

ICC adopts new protocol to deal with cancellation of bi-lateral tours A new protocol will govern the process that any country will follow prior to making a decision to cancel a bi-lateral tour the International Cricket Council announced today.

Following on from the recent South African tour to Pakistan that was cancelled and then reinstated all countries considered the most appropriate process to follow in the event that they were considering cancelling a scheduled tour. It was recognised that the decision as to whether a bi-lateral tour is to proceed is a matter between the Boards and that each Board has the right to determine when and where its team plays.

Two elements were adopted by the Board to improve the current process. The ICC will establish a panel of suitably qualified security experts to be used by any Board in the event that it has concerns over safety and security issues. The Board will then appoint a person from this panel to report on the safety and security aspects of its planned tour. This report will be available to the Board, the Host Country and to the ICC.

Should concerns remain after receiving this report, the new protocol puts in place a consultation stage in the decision making process in which any country considering cancelling a tour is obliged to consult fully with the other country and with the ICC prior to making any final decision.

ICC President, Ehsan Mani, said that this protocol will allow the views of all parties affected by any decision not to tour to have these views properly considered and discussed as a decision is being made.

"Introducing this protocol is a sensible step in dealing with this issue and provides the opportunity for all the parties involved to get a clear and fact-based assessment of the security issues before a decision is made.

"It recognises the right of each Board to determine when and where its team plays and allows all parties to have their views considered in the decision making process.

"The ICC will continue to remain independent of the two parties and act as a mediator or facilitator in this consultation process