Archive for the 'ICC' Category

MCC Has No Regrets at Losing ICC Conference

Published
by
maehara
on May 8, 2008
in ICC, News and Zimbabwe Cricket
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MCC Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw has indicated that the club has no regrets at the ICC’s decision to relocate their annual conference to Dubai, ending 99 years of association with Lords. The decision was taken as a result of doubts that ZC Chairman Peter Chingoka would receive a visa to enter the UK for the event.

“With what is happening in Zimbabwe under the current regime, if by not having the conference at Lord’s can in any way ultimately help the people of Zimbabwe then it is a small price to pay. I’m not so sure that it will, but if there is a small message that goes back then perhaps that is all we can do to help the people of Zimbabwe, because they need our help.

“Cricket is not a political tool but if in some way we can remove the obvious massive injustices that are happening in that country then we would support that, because people come first and the atrocities that are occurring there should not be tolerated.”

He’s quite right, it’s gesture politics that will have no effect on the ground. But I’m sure the gesture will be appreciated by some.
CricInfo - Bradshaw supports stand on Zimbabwe

Zim Woes Cause Problems for ICC

Published
by
maehara
on April 29, 2008
in ICC
. 0 Comments

Two separate issues with Zimbabwe are causing problems for the ICC - the first is the aftermatch of the KPMG audit of ZC’s finances, where discontent with the ICC’s ‘no action’ response has led to the early departure of Chief Executive Malcolm Speed - Speed had submitted a very critical report of ZC’s financial issues to the ICC late last year, and is reportedly incensed that no action was taken. President-Elect David Morgan recognised Speed’s issues, but also spoke of the unique business environment in Zimbabwe that I’ve referred to previously:

“Malcolm was clearly uncomfortable with the board’s decision regarding the KPMG report. It essentially reflected the extremely difficult trading position that exists in Zimbabwe, where parallel markets abound. Trading conditions are very difficult in Zimbabwe.”

That ‘excuse’ wasn’t enough to placate Speed, though, who is now on paid leave for the remainder of his term of office.

Meanwhile, the Chingoka visa issue rumbles on - the ICC’s annual board meeting has already been moved to Dubai (the first time in the organisation’s history it won’t have been held at Lord’s), while there’s continuing doubt about England’s hosting of the World Twenty20 in 2009 should the UK block any ZC players or officials from attending. Morgan is currently expecting the tournament to go ahead as planned, but the possibility of a switch has not yet been ruled out.
Cricket365 - Zim Saga Forced Speed Departure | England Warned Over Chingoka Visa

New ICC Chief Exec Ponders Changes to FTP, Expresses Hope on Zimbabwe

Published
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maehara
on April 9, 2008
in ICC, News and Zimbabwe Cricket
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Incoming ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has declared himself open to revising the Future Tours Programme to make room for the Indian Premiere League. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, he indicated that Twenty20 could be used to attrack new fans to cricket, and the game needed to adapt to allow that:

“The game is growing and the world is changing. With the successful introduction of Twenty20 to the calendar, there is more cricket to be played, and as a result the time could come where workloads have to be managed.

“The IPL is something that is exciting and can be used to enhance and grow the game around the globe. Cricket is unique in that we have three formats now, and that can be used to attract new fans. If we need to revisit the FTP, we will do that.”

The FTP was last revised two years ago to move from a 4-year to 5-year cycle. With the ECB now also considering an IPL-style T20 tournament in England, there’s going to be growing pressure to adjust the international schedule to allow top players to take part in these - and I’m fairly certain that it’s the lower-ranked sides, including Zimbabwe, who will get shafted by those changes.

In the same interview, Lorgat also expressed confidence that Zimbabwe will once again be a competitive side on the international stage:

“I am an eternal optimist, and perhaps my timing isn’t bad in terms of the political situation in Zimbabwe. I think the game needs to strengthen vertically, rather than horizontally, and a part of that will be to strengthen Zimbabwe.

“It has been quite good of Cricket South Africa to admit them into the domestic competition, and in just this last season they have defeated my team, the Cape Cobras. I am quietly confident they can again be competitive internationally.”

Hopefully one the current uncertainty in Zim is resolved, we can get back to planning a cricketing future that isn’t as heavily politicised as it currently seems to be - if that happens, perhaps Lorgan’s hope will be borne out.
Sydney Morning Herald - Australia’s era of dominance slowly coming to an end

Chingoka Ban To Bite England?

Published
by
maehara
on March 21, 2008
in ICC, News and Zimbabwe Cricket
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The UK Government’s threat to ban Peter Chingoka from visiting the country could bite the ECB just as much as any ban against the Zimbabwe cricket team. According to CricInfo, the ICC are seriously considering moving a number of events away from England should Chingoka be banned, citing an unwillingness to carry on with any event where a Full Member representative cannot be present. Events under threat start with the ICC’s annual meeting in June, but also include the organisation’s centenary celebrations (scheduled for Lord’s) and the 2009 World Twenty20, with South Africa already being mentioned as an alternative venue.

The UK have already refused a visa to Chingoka before, despite him not being on the European Union list of Zimbabweans banned from the EU, but have declined to say whether they would ban him again until such time as he applies for a new visa - which he’ll have to do soon if he’s to attend the June meeting.
CricInfo - England at risk of ICC shutout

Independent Audit Clears ZC

Published
by
maehara
on March 21, 2008
in ICC, News and Zimbabwe Cricket
. 0 Comments

To anger from some but no surprise, the independent audit of ZC’s finances, commissioned from KPMG by the ICC, has cleared ZC of any serious wrongdoing, while noting that there were “serious irregularities” in the accounts. I did point out a while back that, while not wanting to defend any ZC misconduct, “financial irrelgularities” simply come with the territory of doing business in Zimbabwe at the moment - particularly if you deal heavily in forex, which ZC would. ZC Chairman Peter Chingoka is reported to have used this defence during the audit.

As you’d expect, though, there are cries of ‘whitewash’ and ‘cover-up’, which have been seized upon by CricInfo and others. Me, I’ll just keep my mouth shut.
CricInfo - Anger but no surprise at ICC decision

Cricket World Cup to be Reduced in Size, Duration

Published
by
maehara
on February 21, 2008
in ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket
. 0 Comments

With my other hat as Ireland supporter on, this is disappointing news - the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee has recommended that the Cricket World Cup be reduced in size from 16 to 14 teams, immediately knocking two Associate sides out of the competition. The change has been prompted by the early exits of Pakistan and India in the last tournament, and by the poor displays put up by weaker Associates such as Bermuda. The new format (which will make it harder for Associates to reach the Super Eight - nothing to do with Ireland and Kenya getting there ahead of Full Members in the last two tourneys, I’m sure) will have two 7-team pools, with the top 4 from each pool going through to the Super Eight stage.

At the same meeting, it was also decided to trial additional technology to assist umpiring decisions (likely to be tested during the next England v South Africa Test series), and to crack down on “inappropriate public comment and abusive behaviour by players, team officials and individual board members”.
CricInfo - Shorter and smaller World Cup proposed

ICC Confirm England May Lose World Twenty20 if Zim are Excluded

Published
by
maehara
on January 5, 2008
in ICC, News, Twenty20 WC and Zimbabwe Cricket
. 0 Comments

Speaking to BBC Sport, ICC Chief Executive Malcom Speed confirmed that England’s deal to host the 2009 World Twenty20 would be at risk if the UK Government prevented Zimbabwe from taking part:

“It’s a condition of hosting an ICC event that all member teams can play. We (the ICC) haven’t yet had to deal with a situation whereby a country isn’t allowed by the host nation’s government to take part in an ICC event. If that happens, the board would have to meet and take whatever action it deems necessary.”

CricInfo also reports that sources within the ICC have confirmed that…

“…it was inconceivable that the competition would proceed without Zimbabwe and that contingency measures would be drawn up to enable the tournament to be switched should the need arise.”

BBC Sport - England Warned over Zimbabwe | CricInfo - ICC warns England over Zimbabwe exclusion

ICC Gains IOC Recognition

Published
by
maehara
on December 12, 2007
in ICC
. 0 Comments

The ICC has gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee - the first step in the sport’s possible return to the Olympic Games. Cricket last featured in the 1900 Paris Games. ICC President Ray Mali welcomed the news:

“This is great news for cricket. The Olympic Movement is instantly recognisable around the world and for cricket to be a part of that again has to be a good thing. The ICC and IOC share similar values, such as a spirit of fair play in a competitive but ultimately friendly environment. Cricket – like all sports – should be played hard but fair and I think the special atmosphere that surrounds the Olympic Games demonstrates all that is good about sport.”

“Our goal has been to become an international federation that is recognised by the IOC and we are pleased to have achieved this target. We want to play an active role in the Olympic Movement and we will be looking at ways in which we can work with the IOC for the benefit of cricket, sport and society in general. Cricket last featured in the Olympic Games in 1900. Maybe one day it will be right for cricket to return to the Olympic programme.”

I think the ICC’s development programmes will have a lot of work to do before cricket’s ready for the Olympics again (although cricket at the Commonwealth Games is looking a good bet in the near future), but at least the ambition is there.
ICC - ICC statement following its acceptance as a federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee

Russell Tiffin Reaches Umpiring Milestone

Published
by
maehara
on December 10, 2007
in ICC, News and Zimbabwe Cricket
. 1 Comment

Zimbabwean umpire Russell Tiffin reached a milestone during the 4th ODI against West Indies on Friday, by becoming the 11th umpire to stand in 100 ODIs, 15 years after standing in his first ODI (v India in Harare). Tiffin was understandably pleased at reaching his century:

“It is a special day and it is great to be a member of the 100 club. It is a huge honour and when I look at the calibre of the other umpires who have reached the milestone, it makes me proud.”

Congratulations, and may there be many more to come. Tiffin has also stood in 38 Tests to date.
ICC - Zimbabwe’s Tiffin becomes 11th umpire to complete century of ODIs

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Postponed

Published
by
maehara
on November 6, 2007
in ICC, Women's Cricket and Zimbabwe Cricket
. 0 Comments

The ICC have announced that the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to take part in Lahore from 19-25 November, have been postoned following recent events there & a subsequent security assessment. The PCB aren’t exactly happy with the decision - PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf insisted that Pakistan would have been able to hold the tournament safely & on schedule:

“We have advised the ICC we feel the event could have been staged as scheduled in two weeks’ time in a safe and secure environment. We remain more than capable of – and committed to – hosting international cricket and we look forward to welcoming teams to Pakistan in the future.”

The ICC don’t agree, however, and it’s their word that counts. Over to ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed:

“It is extremely regrettable this decision has had to be taken. We remain committed to international cricket being played in Pakistan but, sadly, events beyond the control of the ICC and the PCB have conspired against us on this occasion.

“As recently as 25 October, the ICC Women’s Committee reaffirmed its commitment to staging the event, as scheduled, in Lahore. However the heightened state of tension within the country over the past few days represents a change in circumstances that we have a duty to consider.

“Safety and security of all participants is a priority and on the basis of the independent advice we have received – as well as the material concerns expressed by many of the participating countries – we concluded it is not appropriate to stage the tournament at this time.”

No news yet on if the tournament is to be held elsewhere, or held in Pakistan once the situation there has normalised.
ICC - ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier postponed