Players' association promises tougher times for ICC

The ICC-player relationship took another turn for the worse when Tim May, joint chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA), hit out at the ICC for refusing to include a player representative on their management committee. According to an article in The Australian, May was critical of the ICC's decision: "This shows a complete lack of respect for players around the world."

May was especially disappointed as FICA had helped in negotiations between the players and the ICC before last year's Champions' Trophy, and then again before the World Cup this year. The negotiations ultimately allowed both parties to set aside their differences - at least temporarily - and ensured that the tournaments went ahead without any boycotts.

The relationship between the ICC and the players' body has never been a cordial one, with ICC turning down FICA's attempt to be recognised as the official players' association last October, stating that five of the ten boards did not want a players' association. FICA was consistently opposed to the deal between the ICC and the Global Cricket Corporation, which sold the commercial rights of the players without their prior permission.

Promising to make future contract negotiations more difficult for the ICC, May said that next year's Champions' Trophy, to be held in England, would be targeted: "Another battle is looming."