Johannesburg: Cricket South Africa has opposed the structural overhaul of the ICC, which will cede executive decision-making to India, Australia and England, by calling for an immediate withdrawal of the “fundamentally flawed” proposal.
The proposal recommends wide-ranging changes in the ICC’s revenue distribution model, administrative structure and the Future Tours Programme.
It questions the relevance of Test rankings and suggests the reinstatement of the Champions Trophy over the World Test Championship. And almost every recommendation of the “position paper” gives a larger share of control over world cricket to the Australian, English and Indian Cricket boards – both in the boardroom and on the field.
The official response of CSA to the draft proposal follows a weekend joint session of CSA’s Board of Directors and the Members’ Forum.
“Without addressing the merits of the proposal insofar as it concerns Constitutional amendments and changes to ICC competitions, these proposals should first be referred to the relevant ICC committees or sub-committees for proper consideration and to make recommendations to the ICC Board,” wrote CSA President Chris Nenzani, in a letter to ICC President Alan Isaac.
Nenzani is also chairman of the CSA Board of Directors. The letter has been copied to all full members of the ICC.
“Although there is nothing to prevent a review of the ICC funding model or finances, the proposal self-evidently is inextricably tied up with a fundamental restructuring of the ICC, which has far-reaching Constitutional implications,” he said.
Nenzani requested for its immediate withdrawal to discuss a more acceptable plan.
The West Indies Cricket Board has also called an emergency meeting to discuss the proposed changes, which some officials in the region believe could have devastating consequences for West Indies cricket, with concerns also being raised by Sri Lanka Cricket. (Agencies)