ICC Chief Executives' Committee makes progress on six-year schedule and finalises dates for ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2006

Progress towards a revised schedule for international cricket took a step forward following the conclusion of the ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting at the new ICC office premises in Dubai Media City it was announced today.

A special scheduling summit was followed by a meeting of the CEC which enabled all of the ICC Full Member countries and Associate Member representatives to consider the implications of a move from a five-year programme to a six-year cycle of international cricket.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that the gathering of all those responsible for the scheduling of international cricket was critical to the effective completion of this complex task.

"We have worked through initial drafts and all of the countries will now be given an opportunity to comment on a revised six-year plan. There is still plenty of work to be done but this was an important part of the process," said Mr Speed.

"Once we have received comments from the countries the matter will be considered by the ICC Board at its next meeting in Australia in October."

As well as consideration of scheduling issues, the CEC discussed a range of other issues during its meeting.

ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup

The CEC approved the competition dates for the next ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup. Sixteen teams will contest the event in Sri Lanka from 5 to 19 February 2006.

Johnnie Walker Super Series

The meeting approved the Playing Conditions for the Johnnie Walker Super Series, confirming that the trial One-Day International innovations concerning replacement players and fielding restrictions would apply when Australia takes on the ICC World XI in October. In addition a new system of referral and consultation between the on-field umpires and the TV umpire will apply in all three One-Day Internationals and the Super Test. Run outs and stumpings will be referred in the normal way to the TV umpire with the TV umpire making the final decision. In respect of all other decisions, the on-field umpires will have the discretion to consult with the TV umpire before making the final decision. The CEC confirmed that the only exception to this would be clean catches where the current principle that the on-field umpires should only consult the TV umpire when both on-field umpires are unsighted should apply.

It has been decided that the Johnnie Walker Super Series matches will be officiated by the top four members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires. Officials from Australia will be permitted to undertake on-field duties in the matches but no two umpires from the same country will be able to stand together in the same match.

Twenty20 Cricket

Discussions on the role of Twenty20 cricket in the international arena led to an agreement that ICC management should conduct an investigation and evaluation of a range of scenarios in relation to this particular format. A report will be compiled for consideration by the ICC Board.

Commonwealth Games

The CEC reviewed a proposal from the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010. The matter has been referred to the ICC Board for further consideration at its meeting in October.

Use of substitutes

The issue of the use of substitutes in international cricket was raised during the CEC meeting. In seeking to clarify the role of the 12th man, the ICC has committed to raising this issue with all Full Member captains and Emirates Elite Panel umpires during forthcoming meetings with both groups scheduled for October.

The CEC is chaired by ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, and attended by ICC President, Ehsan Mani and ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson.

The following delegates also attended the meeting:

The CEC meets three times a year. The recommendations of this meeting will be considered by the ICC Board which will meet in Sydney in October.