US cricket continues to lack accountability

Silence continues to be the order of the day in the USA where it is proving impossible to find out how the review of the constitution is progressing.

Cricinfo has learned that the process has stalled, and it seems that is because the USA Cricket Association executive has thrown up a series of objections at the 11th hour. The exact nature of these is unknown, and the irony that the very body that tried to force through a new constitution earlier this year with almost no consultation is now stalling at the end of a lengthy and all-encompassing review is not lost on anyone.

With the review process now weeks behind schedule, it looks increasingly unlikely that national elections can be held by the end of November. That delay will mean that the USA’s long-awaited readmission to international cricket will be further stalled. Once more, grassroots cricketers suffer because of largely anonymous administrators' egos.

The few glimpses Cricinfo has had behind the scenes reveals increasing exasperation among many stakeholders at what they perceive as the relentless attempts of the existing USACA executive to remain in place regardless of the harm it does.

However, most stakeholders remain in the dark. The USACA refuses to comment on anything – it has still not ever admitted publicly that it has been suspended from the ICC – and the review group are equally silent. This is turning out to be a most private battle.

The USA is the world’s major democracy. The USACA, however, is about as open and accountable as the North Korean government.