ICC releases U-19 funding to USA

The ICC has decided to release funds to enable the USA Under-19 side to prepare for the 2006 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The USA Cricket Association requested the monies earlier this week, and while the ICC initially said that the funding would not be released quickly because of governance issues, it has now had a change of heart. The reasoning would seem to be that it was, as before, felt unfair to penalise the U-19s for the problems of the board, and also that any delay would put them at a disadvantage compared to their opponents.

Importantly, the USACA will not be allowed to administer the money. That will be done by the ICC's Americas Regional Development office.

Although some inside the US might look to make political capital out of the news, it is apparent that it does not represent a weakening of the ICC's hard-line position with the USACA but a recognition that time is of the essence and any delay would be seriously detrimental to the U-19s.