Path cleared for ICC elections, 2021 T20 World Cup 'likely' to remain in India
by K Shriniwas RaoMUMBAI: The members boards of the International Cricket Council (ICC) came to a tacit understanding through a 2/3rd majority on Tuesday that incumbent chairman Shashank Manohar will not be allowed an extension to the chair. Consensus prevailed that elections, at the earliest, have to be the way forward, the path for which “has been cleared”.
“The path for the election is clear. The decision will be ratified at the 28th board meeting (Thursday). Papers to the effect are going to be drawn up tomorrow (Wednesday),” sources tracking developments told TOI on Tuesday evening.
Top administrators in Indian cricket were on the call throughout the day, “coordinating” with the board of directors to chart out the processes. The BCCI, in fact, led from the front as the majority advocated that Manohar shouldn’t be given an extension and elections be held at the earliest.
The BCCI, in fact, voted in favour of such a decision, specifically backed by a young administrator who is certain to play a crucial role in the game’s global machinery as things move forward.
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“These are grave times for cricket around the world. As we know, sport in general is suffering and cricket – in many parts of the world – has been at its weakest on the financial front. There’s been a leadership vacuum in terms of individuals who can work towards the financial well-being of the organisation. It’s time to set that right,” well-placed sources said after the developments, adding: “Otherwise, many cricketing ecosystems will simply perish”.
As ICC gets ready to work on a fresh administrative blueprint, the focus is on multiple boards that stand on the verge of bankruptcy if cricket doesn’t resume soon. “In that, the BCCI is once again seen as a natural leader given the resources at its disposal. The onus will thus be on India to do some hand-holding here and we all recognise that there are capable working hands at the BCCI to do that,” a board director said, clearly aligning with India’s leadership once again.
Next year's T20 WC likely to stay in India
Meanwhile, a preliminary decision has also been arrived at that the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup will be held in India. After TOI reported last week that the ICC was postponing the T20 World Cup in consultation with Cricket Australia (CA) and busy figuring how to reschedule the edition, Tuesday’s chief executives meeting at the ICC concluded that Australia will most likely host the tournament in 2022.
“The broadcasters will want the 2021 edition to be held in India. With no live cricket this year, the revenue cycles of the game have taken a huge hit. ICC’s principle revenue comes from broadcast rights. There’s no way the governing body can ignore their principle partners,” said sources tracking developments.
In line with the sentiment, India will “most likely” host the 2021 edition of the tournament while Cricket Australia will host it in 2022, most likely in the October-November window.
“The tournament cannot be held in February-March. Neither in 2021 nor 2022. It’ll have to be the October-November window,” sources added. This was also debated at the ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) meeting a couple of days ago where majority of the members were opposed to the idea of hosting the T20 World Cup in February-March, apropos of the year.
The F&CA is headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani, whose primary job is to protect the interests of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – which is conducted in the months of February-March. “As chairman of the committee (F&CA) and as chairman of a board (PCB) who has to run a T20 league (PSL) back in his country, it’s a practical call he had to take and it’s not wrong because it’s plain business. What’s worrisome is that those backed by India in the past, who went on to occupy exalted positions in the ICC have failed to protect their own country’s interests. Why? Because of a vote?” say those tracking developments.
An acute sense for business, not politics, is what is going to drive cricket’s administration forward. An individual’s ability to carve out a “vote” out of nowhere may have been the global cricket administration’s biggest determining factor until now, but from here on, what’s going to be more important is the administration’s understanding of the game’s business and how to make it grow and stabilise.
“In the past, we’ve had administrators who were capable of both. Let’s not forget Jagmohan Dalmiya. He is the one who taught India and the world how to make cricket prosper. Today’s administrators who are trying to survive on vote alone to carry their agenda will never get there,” they add.