ICC right to play the waiting game

The report that the ICC might not recognise Cricket Kenya, the newly-formed government-backed body, until June 2006 has been greeted with delight by those still supporting the Kenyan Cricket Association and dismay by those trying to end its tenure.

It had been thought that Cricket Kenya would herald a fresh start and that the infighting and mismanagement of the past would be consigned to history. The story, however, still has a few more chapters remaining.

What the ICC has done is little more than quote its rulebook. And, as we all know, rules are there to be broken - and if not broken, they certainly rely heavily on common sense being used to interpret them.

It might seem inconceivable that the ICC can continue to publicly support the KCA for much longer. Kenya, from the government right down to the grassroots, has shown that it wants change and has backed the new venture.

The ICC, however, cannot switch sides so readily. After dealing with a recognised body - in this instance the KCA - for so long, it cannot jump ship overnight. If it did, then not only would it stand accused of getting involved in internal politics, but it could end up with egg on its face were the KCA to stage a Lazarus-like recovery and reassert its control. And in Kenya, nothing can be ruled out.

So until the KCA is dead and buried, the ICC has to sit on the sidelines and maintain an air of detachment. That should not be taken as succour for one side or cause for concern to the other.

As soon as Kenya has sorted out its own issues, then the ICC will give its backing to the new and undisputed board. Until then, it has to remain detached as the bickering continues.