Qamar Ahmed: ICC meeting starts today (12 June 1997)

12 June 1997

ICC meeting starts today

By Qamar Ahmed

LONDON, June 11: The ICC conference starts tomorrow (Thursday) to restructure and revamp the old, ageing and politically-influenced body into a democratic and visionary institution. The chief executive of the ICC David Richards, an Australian, who had agreed to an extension to a new contract, will remain incharge and Sir Clyde Walcott, the outgoing chairman of the ICC, would chair the meeting for the last time before handing it over to Jagmohan Dalmiya, who will be known as the President of the ICC.

The chair of the President will be rotating every three years, the next in line for the chair are the Australians and gone are the days when the head of the ICC had to have a majority of two thirds to be elected. As was the case in the last ICC meeting when Jagmohan Dalmiya was not handed over the chair of the ICC because he could not muster the required number of votes, which threatened the whole institution was Dalmiya indicated that he may take legal advice on that.

Bangladesh, winners of the ICC Trophy in Kaula Lampur early this year, have applied for Test status. It is being considered but surely they will not get that honour as early as this year and they will have to wait at least for a couple of years if they continue to perform at the required level. Countries like Holland, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark and other associate countries will also be fully encouraged to develop their game to join the top level.

The two bouncers law in force at the moment would be continued for at least another year. proposal of staging the World Cup every two years will be discussed but that may not be accepted because it is Test cricket which is on the agenda to get the facelift. Mathew Engel, editor of the Wisden Cricket Monthly's world Test championship plan will be under consideration as will be that of Clive Ellis of `The Daily Telegraph'.

Further globalisation of the game is planned as per proposal of Dr Bacher of south Africa who thinks Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka look after the game in the Gulf and such countries like Iran, Afghanistan. Australia and New Zealand cover the Pacific countries. England's sphere will be Europe and West Indies look to the Americas, including Disneyland where some kind of cricket is to be organised to make it popular.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)