ICC requests Lankan Sports Minister to hold SLC AGM before October
View(s):Reserves rights to take further action in case of non-complianceAfter reviewing an update on Sri Lanka Cricket the ICC reiterated its earlier position that the appointment of an Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Government of Sri Lanka was a breach of the ICC’s constitution. These sentiments were recorded prior to the conclusion of the ICC Annual conference in Barbados according to an official ICC communiqué.
SLC Interim Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny attended the meeting as an observer.
Further, the ICC Board urged the Sports Minister of Sri Lanka to hold free and fair elections before the next ICC Board meeting in October, adding that the ICC reserved the right to take further action against the SLC in the event of further non-compliance.
Among the discussions held, decisions made and reports received were:
ICC Cricket Committee recommendations
The ICC Board noted amendments to the ICC playing conditions, which were approved by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee on Monday and Tuesday. These playing conditions will come into effect for series starting on or after 5 July 2015.
The key changes were:
- No compulsory catchers in overs 1-10 (ODIs)
- No batting Powerplay between overs 15-40 (ODIs)
- Five fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50 (ODIs)
- All “no balls”, not just “foot faults”, to result in a free hit (ODIs & T20Is)
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We have thoroughly reviewed the ODI format after a very successful ICC Cricket World Cup. There was no need to make any radical changes to what has proved to be a vibrant and popular format but we wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.
“In making these adjustments, we have tried to ensure that ODI cricket retains the attacking, aggressive and thrilling brand, which has recently become the hallmark of 50-over cricket and sets us on a positive path to the next World Cup in England in 2019.”
Integrity
The ICC Board reviewed and adopted the recommendations of an Integrity Working Party which had been convened to review the global risks for international and domestic cricket created by the threat of corruption.
This decision will see a greater role for a central Anti-Corruption Unit and paves the way for greater coordination of preventative and investigative activity around the world with a unified vision to ‘keep cricket clean’.
Key recommendations that have been adopted include:
- Confirmation that the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) will be the central focal point for all anti-corruption activities in international and domestic cricket and have enhanced intelligence capabilities;
- Acknowledgement of the need for greater coordination between the ACU and national anti-corruption bodies;
- Affirmation of the ACU’s accountability for all international cricket with the ACU also serving as the central coordinator for multi-jurisdictional cases;
- Renewed emphasis on a programme that encompasses prevention, disruption, investigation and prosecution in that order of priority;
- n A requirement for all Full Members and Associate Members with ODI and T20I status to review their anti-corruption resources and adopt an anti-corruption code which includes the core principles contained in the ICC’s domestic template code within six months;
- A requirement for all ICC Full Member countries and Associate Members with ODI and T20I status to review their anti-corruption resources to ensure they effectively protect domestic cricket;
- n An international panel to be established from which the Members may, and the ICC will, draw their anti-corruption tribunals;
- The adoption of revised ‘standard operating procedures’ (SOPs) based on those formulated for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015;
- A thorough review of all training materials used for prevention, education and awareness to ensure that there is a consistency of message imparted, the most suitable and up to date techniques are used (such as video clips, scenarios and participative exercises) and records are retained of all those in receipt of training;
- The ICC and its Members to take active steps to lobby for the criminalisation of match fixing in sport in all Member countries and strengthen relationships with other anti-corruption stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and betting monitoring companies.
International cricket
The ICC Board decided that a considerable amount of time should be set aside at the next Board meeting in October for the directors and chief executives to discuss issues relating to bilateral cricket, including enhancing the context and value of Test and ODI series.