Results of second day of ICC Chief Executives' Committee meeting in Johannesburg

Meeting reaffirms responsibility of host Member boards to produce venues fit for the purpose of staging international cricket, agrees Members must submit lists of venues intended for use over a 12-month period Agreement over increasing amount and spread of prize money in Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat: “I’ve been delighted at the positive feel around this meeting and the collective will to take the game forward”

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) met in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the second day of one of its four meetings per year.

The gathering, held at the Sandton Sun Hotel, discussed a range of matters relating to the playing of cricket as well as recommendations on the business of cricket for consideration by the ICC Board.

Among the items discussed on Wednesday were the following:

West Indies v England, second Test in Antigua

The CEC considered the matter of the above match, which was abandoned after 10 balls because of an unfit outfield.

The meeting reconfirmed that the responsibility for ensuring the delivery of a venue fit for the purpose of international cricket rested with the host Member board.

However, the meeting also agreed that all boards would be required to notify the ICC in February of each year the identity of all venues they intended to use for international matches in the following 12 months.

The above notification would be accompanied by a written declaration signed by the Member that those grounds it nominated complied with the standards expected of an international venue. Those standards have previously been circulated to Members in a document entitled “International Venue Requirements.”

In relation to the condition of the outfield in Antigua, this is currently the subject of the ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process and that process is ongoing.

The process was introduced in 2006 to ensure international cricket is played in conditions of a suitably high standard.
The first stage of the process was for Emirates Elite Panel ICC Match Referee Alan Hurst to submit a report to the ICC concerning the quality of the playing surface.

After he did so, the ICC wrote to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), forwarding that report and asking for a written report of its own on the condition of the surface including any extenuating circumstances which may have existed.

Once the WICB’s report is submitted then the ICC’s General Manager – Cricket David Richardson and the ICC’s chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle will consider all the evidence, including studying video footage, before passing judgment.

The ICC has the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.

The ICC’s pitch and outfield monitoring process can be viewed at http://www.icc-cricket.com./rules_and_regulations.php

CEC Strategy session

This group discussion followed on from a strategy workshop that was held at its previous meeting last December in Cape Town.

The previous session in December was the start of a process to establish a number of key aims, objectives and challenges that will then feed into other decision-making forums including the ICC Board.

This process is designed to help all the Members, as well as the ICC itself, to shape their long-term thinking and plans for international cricket in a cohesive and mutually beneficial way.

It is envisaged that the CEC and the ICC Board will hold a joint session in June, during the ICC’s annual conference week, to further this process.

At this meeting the CEC stressed a commitment to the following:

• Recognising the primacy of international cricket

• The protection and promotion of Test cricket

• The participation in annual ICC Events through to 2015

From the desire to promote Tests came recognition of the need to increase the amount of prize money on offer within the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table.The level of prize money is currently US$175,000 for the side that tops the table on 1 April each year, with US$75,000 for the side placed second at that time.

The CEC agreed that there should be a substantial increase in the above totals. It also agreed that prize money should be available for places further down the table to provide further context and incentives to sides without an immediate prospect of breaking into the top two positions.

The details of these increases and the spread of prize money will now be worked out and confirmed in due course.

Reflecting on Wednesday’s discussions, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “The Members have now reaffirmed that it is the host Member Board’s responsibility to produce a venue that is up to standard and fit for the purpose of staging internationals.

“The specific issue of the problem encountered at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is now part of the Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process and we will await the conclusions of that process.

“I am delighted that the CEC reaffirmed the primacy of international cricket and emphasised its desire to promote Test cricket.

“That process of promotion is now ongoing through the working group set up recently with all Full Members invited to take part, and the ICC’s management will also look to bring ideas to the table to raise the profile of the longest form of the game.

“The desire to promote Test cricket was reflected in the desire to increase the amount and spread of prize money on offer in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table.

“We believe this extra prize money will offer further context and incentives to sides throughout the table and the race to achieve not only the top spot and the Test Championship mace but also secure places further down the list will provide for an added level of interest.

“I have been delighted at the positive feel around this meeting and the collective will to take the game forward.

“With our joint strategy session involving both the CEC and the ICC Board planned for later this year I feel we are in a good position from which to ensure our strong sport grows stronger.”

The results of day one’s discussions can be found here: http://www.icc-cricket.com/

The CEC comprises the chief executives of the 10 Test-playing Members and three representatives from ICC Associate Members. It is chaired by the ICC Chief Executive. The ICC President and the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee will also be in attendance.

Associate Member representatives