New system for ICC Presidency

Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: A Sri Lankan candidate could soon become the President of the International Cricket Council following a recommendation made by the ICC’s Governance Review Committee and agreed by the ICC Annual Conference in London.

The Nominations Committee will be disbanded and a new system in selecting future ICC President’s will come into effect. This will be an improved rotation system which was previously employed.

The rotation will take place between six groups/regions namely England/West Indies, India/Sri Lanka, Australia/New Zealand, Pakistan/Bangladesh, South Africa/Zimbabwe and the Associates/Affiliates.

The rotation policy has already brought in a succession of high quality Presidents of the ICC in the past and the stability and this new arrangement will allow the ICC to move forward and make this a strong sport even stronger.

Meanwhile the two candidates originally nominated to take over as President in 2008, David Morgan of England and Sharad Pawar of India, will follow each other in the role once the current President Ray Mali steps down in June 2008.

Morgan will serve as ICC President from 2008 to 2010 and Pawar will serve from 2010 to 2012. In the meantime Morgan will become ICC President Elect and Pawar will become Vice-President. When Morgan becomes President, Pawar will become President Elect as well as Vice-President.

Meanwhile in a major change in the playing conditions of one day internationals announced in London a batsman will now get a free hit off the delivery bowled after a front foot no ball from a bowler. The batsmen cannot be dismissed on this ball.

This new rule and several other new changes in the playing conditions of ODIs approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) at its annual meetings will come into effect from October 1. This is the first time in the history of the game that a batsman could not be dismissed of any kind of delivery.

Among the other changes will be a mandatory change of the ball after 35 overs in each innings of an ODI.

The replacement will be a clean used ball. Another change approved by the ICC board of directors were an additional fielder will be allowed outside the fielding circle during the second or third power play in an ODI.