ICC Welcomes "invaluable input" from Test Captains' unique insights

The unique insights of Test captains attending the ICC Captains' Meeting had made an invaluable input to ICC policy development, ICC President, Mr Malcolm Gray, said today.

Mr Gray was speaking after a meeting with eight of the ten Test team captains. The meeting was chaired by Sunil Gavaskar and was attended by Stephen Waugh (Australia), Stephen Fleming (NZ), Jimmy Adams (West Indies), Heath Streak (Zimbabwe), Naimur Rahman (Bangladesh), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Moin Khan (Pakistan) and Shaun Pollock (South Africa). Malcolm Gray and David Richards, ICC Chief Executive, also attended.

Nasser Hussain (England) and Saurav Ganguly (India) were unable to attend because of tour commitments.

Mr Gray said it was an excellent, relaxed and constructive meeting.

"We plan to continue to hold these meetings as often as possible given the busy schedule teams face," he said.

Mr Gray said consultation with the captains provided the ICC with unique current insights into the game.

Issues discussed at the meeting included:

• The three-year cycle of Standard Playing Conditions review by the Cricket Committee - Playing.
• Safety of players and umpires.
• Test Match issues such as the use of lights during the day.
• One Day International issues including the Duckworth Lewis method and the number of white balls to be used per inning.
• The captains' view of the standard of pitches.

Mr Gray said there were a wide range of views put forward and that all participants had focussed on the international dimension rather than national interests.

The 10 year future tour program, Test Cricket World championship and agreed guidelines on the volume of cricket were also discussed.

The ICC updated the captains on the new World Sport Group/News Corporation agreement, ICC branding and the ICC Development program.

ICC Anti-Corruption Unit head, Sir Paul Condon, reported on the status of the unit's work and issues about how future problems could be avoided were canvassed.

Mr Gray said the captains' views would be very significant in moving forward on a range of ICC initiatives.

ends.

For more information
Contact:
Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7266 7913/1818
Email: mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org

David Richards
ICC Chief Executive
c/o Park Hyatt Hotel +61 3 9224 1234

Australia
Turnbull Porter Novelli
Noel Turnbull or Paul Crisp
Tel: 00 61 3 9289 9555
Email: pcrisp@porternovelli.com.au