World Cup, Super Series, Player Associations, Illegal Deliveries and Umpire Performance addressed at ICC Meeting

The meeting of the ICC's Cricket Committee - Management concluded today with a number of decisions and recommendations to the ICC's Executive Board made by the Chief Executives and Secretaries of the leading cricketing nations.

The two-day meeting in India considered a range of issues in the game including:

• The format for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in West Indies;
• The proposed Super Series;
• The relationship between the ICC and Player Associations;
• The most effective procedure for dealing with bowlers with suspected illegal bowling actions; and
• A review of the performance of the Emirates Elite Panel.

At a media briefing this afternoon ICC President, Ehsan Mani, addressed the ICC's position on the inability of India to play Pakistan at the elite level before he and ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed discussed the outcomes of the meeting.

"Like the rest of the cricketing world, the ICC would like to see the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan at the elite level but this is essentially a bi-lateral issue between the two countries.

"At the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the ICC has previously met with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf and he has stated to us his desire to re-establish these ties.

"The BCCI have indicated to the ICC that it believes that it is best placed to deal with its own government on this issue at this time. The ICC respects this decision by the BCCI and recognises that it is an issue which the Indian Board is seeking to resolve as quickly as possible for the benefit of the game."

Mr Speed then went on to address the main issues that were discussed at the meeting.

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007

The Committee agreed to recommend a format to the Executive Board that would see a shorter tournament with fewer games than this year's event.

Should this proposed format be adopted by the Executive Board it would see 16 teams divided into four groups of four at the group stage of the tournament followed by a "Super Eights" stage before moving on to semi-final and Final stage.

Mr Speed said that the ICC would now consult with a number of stakeholders on this proposal before it is presented to the ICC's Executive Board for its decision in October.

"This proposal is the current thinking of the Chief Executives of the countries," said Mr Speed.

"ICC Management will now consult with a number of stakeholders including the players and player representatives; our commercial partner, Global Cricket Corporation; and the West Indies Organising Committee on this issue before presenting a final proposal to the Executive Board at its next meeting in October."

ICC SUPER SERIES

The Committee discussed the proposal to stage an ICC Super Series featuring the number one ranked team in the ICC Test Championship table against a Rest of the World team in a Test match and the number one ranked team in the ICC ODI Championship table against a Rest of the World team in a three ODI match series.

This proposal has previously been agreed in principle and the meeting's discussions focused on the financial and contractual aspects of this event.

The meeting agreed to continue with the planning for this event.

Should it proceed, the Super Series would take place in 2005 at the earliest with South Africa the preferred host of this tournament.

Mr Speed stressed that this event still remained in the planning stages.

"While the idea for an ICC Super Series has been agreed, there remains much work to be done to see if this idea can become a reality. At this stage we are continuing to look at the considerable financial, planning and logistical issues that go along with such an event to see if it is practical to stage this tournament," said Mr Speed.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH PLAYER ASSOCIATIONS

The Committee has agreed to recommend to the Executive Board a proposal by ICC Management that the ICC recognises and deals with player associations on common player issues where the player associations are recognised by the individual Boards.

The common player issues are:

1. Playing Conditions in international cricket (including the use of technology);

2. Clothing and Equipment regulations;

3. Anti-Doping Policy;

4. Code of Conduct;

5. Regulations pertaining to Illegal Bowling Actions;

6. Regulations for the safety and security of players; and

7. The structure/volume of cricket.