The International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual meetings kicked off on Friday in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following a shake-up of the board after the Associate Member Directors election. Here's a look at some of the pressing issues expected to be discussed:
T20 World Cup Finances Under Scrutiny
As reported earlier, the U.S. leg of the T20 World Cup is under review, with an audit likely underway but possibly not completed in time for the AGM. The focus will be on the entity established in the U.S. to manage the event, including:
- The handling of the tournament, which despite being played in major cities like New York, Dallas, and Lauderhill, faced on-field and logistical issues.
- The much-hyped modular stadium in Long Island, particularly regarding its cost and the drop-in pitch that received criticism for being slow and favoring bowlers. An ICC board member questioned the spending on the New York venue, considering it was dismantled after the U.S. leg.
- Logistical problems faced by teams, like last-minute changes in accommodation for Ireland, resulting in long commutes and disruptions to their preparation.
USA Cricket Faces Potential Sanctions
As first reported here, USA Cricket is likely to be "put on notice" due to ongoing internal issues. This sanction could lead to a suspension of their membership if they fail to address the ICC's concerns regarding their compliance with Associate Membership criteria.
Stay tuned for further updates on the ICC's AGM and the outcomes of these discussions.
