New Delhi: The International Cricket Council’s attempt to paper over the apparent cracks in its executive board meeting in Dubai these last two days has taken something of a knock.
Following the anodyne statement of unanimous support issued on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board became the first to publicly break ranks on the issue of plans to revamp world cricket as mooted by India, England and Australia.
Later in the day, the cricket board of Sri Lanka too went public seeking greater discussions on proposals mooted in the “position paper” put together following discussions between the cricket boards of the “big three”.
“Bangladesh became the first country to formally protest the controversial two-tier system. We opposed because we don’t want to play in the second tier,” spokesman Jalal Yunus was quoted as saying in Dhaka.
The West Indies, though, saw merit in the proposals. The cash-strapped board said it was expecting at least a 100 per cent increase in its revenue over the next eight years if the proposed system of ICC revenue sharing is voted in.
“After extensive discussions and careful consideration the West Indies Cricket Board joined with all other full members of the ICC in providing support for key principles relating to the future structure, governance and financial models of the ICC,” a WICB statement said.
“Based on new proposed system of ICC revenue sharing for the upcoming eight-year cycle (2015-2023), WICB projects to receive at least 100 per cent increase on the previous eight-year cycle (2006-2014),” it added.
On the issue of future tours to the Caribbean, the WICB said that it will be “an opportunity, through bilateral agreements, to increase the number of matches and series played annually by the West Indies men’s team against higher ranked opposition and against teams, which are profitable to the WICB.
These will include matches and series both in the West Indies and overseas.
“Through initial discussions, the BCCI, ECB and CA have all committed to increased tours to the West Indies over the next eight-year cycle (2015-2023). This is in addition to the India, England and Australia tours which are currently on the existing FTP,” the WICB said.
