ICC MEDIA RELEASE
Kuala Lumpur , 20 February 2008
CEC suggests 14-team format for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011; zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate public comment and abusive behaviour; trial for greater use of technology by umpires; matters relating to Indian Premier League
Kuala Lumpur , 20 February 2008
CEC suggests 14-team format for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011; zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate public comment and abusive behaviour; trial for greater use of technology by umpires; matters relating to Indian Premier League
ICC CWC 2011 format:
The CEC will recommend that the ICC Board approves a 14-team format for the next ICC Cricket World Cup which will take place in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011.
The suggested new format involves two groups of seven teams with the top four from each group progressing to a knock-out phase that includes quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. The new format, if approved by the ICC Board, would last 38 days, significantly shorter than the previous CWC in 2007.
Indian Premier League (IPL):
The suggested new format involves two groups of seven teams with the top four from each group progressing to a knock-out phase that includes quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. The new format, if approved by the ICC Board, would last 38 days, significantly shorter than the previous CWC in 2007.
Indian Premier League (IPL):
A long discussion of several issues relating to the IPL took place.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that international commitments would always take priority over IPL. No-objection certificates will be required from respective Member Boards as a condition of all players’ participation.
There has been media speculation about creating a window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for IPL matches. The FTP is in place until 2012 and there was no suggestion by the BCCI that such a window should be considered or created prior to that.
The ICC will consult with the BCCI to ensure that anti-corruption and anti-doping processes are put in place for the IPL and that a code of ethics be established for the owners of the teams.
“The Members were pleased to receive very clear and unconditional commitment from the BCCI that international matches would be give absolute priority over IPL commitments,” said ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.
“There has been plenty of speculation about the impact that IPL will have on the world game. The other ICC Members are supportive of the BCCI and will carefully evaluate the first year of the IPL and its wider impact on the game in other parts of the world,” he said.
Concern was expressed by some countries about unofficial cricket events, such as the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
At the CEC meeting, Members confirmed they did not recognise ICL and would not grant permission for their players to take part in it.
Greater use of technology by umpires:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that international commitments would always take priority over IPL. No-objection certificates will be required from respective Member Boards as a condition of all players’ participation.
There has been media speculation about creating a window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for IPL matches. The FTP is in place until 2012 and there was no suggestion by the BCCI that such a window should be considered or created prior to that.
The ICC will consult with the BCCI to ensure that anti-corruption and anti-doping processes are put in place for the IPL and that a code of ethics be established for the owners of the teams.
“The Members were pleased to receive very clear and unconditional commitment from the BCCI that international matches would be give absolute priority over IPL commitments,” said ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.
“There has been plenty of speculation about the impact that IPL will have on the world game. The other ICC Members are supportive of the BCCI and will carefully evaluate the first year of the IPL and its wider impact on the game in other parts of the world,” he said.
Concern was expressed by some countries about unofficial cricket events, such as the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
At the CEC meeting, Members confirmed they did not recognise ICL and would not grant permission for their players to take part in it.
Greater use of technology by umpires:
The CEC unanimously approved a proposal prepared by ICC management on the greater use of technology in decision-making. This proposal, which was drawn up following directions from the ICC Cricket Committee, suggests the trialing of an “umpire decision review system” during a Test series.
The ICC Board will consider this proposal at its March meeting before any trial will be approved and arranged. If the trial is given the go-ahead by the Board, detailed playing conditions will be developed in consultation with the ICC Cricket Committee.
Inappropriate comment and abuse: The Member countries have agreed that ICC will take a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate public comment and abusive behaviour by players, team officials and individual Member Board members, in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct.
The Code already outlaws “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on a match-related incident or match official” and also “using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator”.
Recent cases of inappropriate public comment by players, team and Board officials were discussed at the meeting.
“I welcome the Members’ commitment to the enforcement of the Code,” said Mr Speed. “I will be writing to umpires and referees, as well as Member country CEOs, next week to inform them officially of this decision.”
The CEC comprises the chief executives or their equivalent of the 10 ICC Full Members and three representatives from ICC Associate Members. It is chaired by the ICC Chief Executive. The chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee was also in attendance at the meeting.
The ICC Board will consider this proposal at its March meeting before any trial will be approved and arranged. If the trial is given the go-ahead by the Board, detailed playing conditions will be developed in consultation with the ICC Cricket Committee.
Inappropriate comment and abuse: The Member countries have agreed that ICC will take a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate public comment and abusive behaviour by players, team officials and individual Member Board members, in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct.
The Code already outlaws “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on a match-related incident or match official” and also “using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator”.
Recent cases of inappropriate public comment by players, team and Board officials were discussed at the meeting.
“I welcome the Members’ commitment to the enforcement of the Code,” said Mr Speed. “I will be writing to umpires and referees, as well as Member country CEOs, next week to inform them officially of this decision.”
The CEC comprises the chief executives or their equivalent of the 10 ICC Full Members and three representatives from ICC Associate Members. It is chaired by the ICC Chief Executive. The chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee was also in attendance at the meeting.
ICC Chief Executives' Committee
Malcolm Speed
ICC Chief Executive Officer
Malcolm Speed
ICC Chief Executive Officer
David Morgan
ICC President-Elect
Sunil Gavaskar
Chairman - Cricket Committee
Full Members
James Sutherland
Australia
Chairman - Cricket Committee
Full Members
James Sutherland
Australia
Nizam Chowdhury
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
David Collier
England
England
Niranjan Shah
India
India
Justin Vaughan
New Zealand
New Zealand
Shafqat Naghmi
Pakistan
Pakistan
Duleep Mendis
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Gerald Majola
South Africa
South Africa
Dr Donald Peters
West Indies
West Indies
Ozias Bvute
Zimbabwe
Associate Members
Samir Inamdar
Kenya
Zimbabwe
Associate Members
Samir Inamdar
Kenya
John Cribbin
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Laurie Pieters
Namibia
Namibia