ICC gives blunt warning to USA
Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, has fired a shot across the bows of the two factions batting for control of US cricket
Cricinfo staff
04-Jul-2005
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In a letter dated July 1 to the various lawyers representing the groups which seemed to indicate that cricket's ruling body is running out of patience, Speed reiterated that the ICC does not recognise one or other of the bodies claiming to have the authority to run US cricket and urged them to "seek an interim order by consent from the court that puts one or other party in undisputed control of USACA pending the final resolution of the litigation."
He continued: "The board has asked me to advise you that ICC's current position will remain until such a court order is obtained or until the disputing parties sort out their differences and provide joint advice of an agreed group responsible for governing USACA."
Speed went on to say that the ICC was keen that cricketers in the USA were not disadvantaged by the row, and so it would allow the US to field sides if either the dispute is settled, which seems unlikely, or a system for selecting teams is mutually agreed. He gave a deadline for the close of business on July 8. The selection of the squad for the ICC Trophy was the subject of a bitter argument.
"If this advice is received, the USA cricket contact jointly advised as responsible for coordinating each of these USA teams would then need to work closely with the ICC Americas Region office in regard to meeting urgent needs for the submission of actual squads. If this advice is not received, USACA will not be recognised for any USA team participation in either the ICC Americas Under-19 World Cup qualifier or the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2005 and alternative arrangements will be immediately implemented."
The letter concluded by reconfirming that all funding from the ICC continues to be withheld pending the resolution of the stand-off.