Dubai , 5 May 2008Two-day meeting in Dubai will tackle the big issues, including the greater use of technology for umpires, research on the volume of cricket and bad light; group includes Michael Holding, Mark Taylor, Ranjan Madugalle and Simon Taufel
The impact that the Twenty20 format is having on the game and how best to protect and promote Test cricket will form one of the key discussions at the two-day ICC Cricket Committee, which meets in Dubai from today.
The trialing of an umpires’ decision review system, the formulation of playing conditions for the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 and ICC World Twenty20 2009 and the results of ICC-commissioned research into such issues as volume of cricket and bad light will also be on the radar for this important meeting.
The committee is chaired by former India captain and ICC Cricket World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar and packed with highly respected figures within the world of cricket, including David Richardson , ICC General Manager – Cricket, former Australia captain Mark Taylor, ex-Pakistan captain Majid Khan and Michael Holding, the former West Indies fast bowler.
It also features Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel, chief ICC match referee and former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle , Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur and Tim May, former Australia off-spinner and now the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations.
The committee is representative of all stakeholders in the modern game, including players, umpires and the media.
Cricket landscape – impact of Twenty20 format and domestic leagues
Following the changing cricket landscape after the explosion of Twenty20 cricket, the committee will discuss international cricket as the pinnacle of the game, the protection and promotion of Test cricket, the impact of Twenty20 cricket on other formats of the game and the impact of domestic leagues on the international game.
Television technology in umpire decision-making – trial
The committee will finalize the playing conditions to be adopted for the proposed trial of an umpire decision review system. Broadly speaking, in the trial, players will be permitted to request the on-field umpire to review his own decision in consultation with the television umpire.
Playing conditions
The committee will consider the specific playing conditions for the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 and ICC World Twenty20 2009. As part of that discussion, it will consider the idea of allowing the batting team to choose when to take one of the three Powerplays.
Research results
The committee will consider progress that has been made in research relating to volume of cricket and bad light.
The remit of the ICC Cricket Committee is to discuss and consult on any cricket-playing matters and to formulate recommendations to the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) and the ICC Board for approval. The next meetings of those committees are set for Dubai from June 29 to July 4.
The ICC Cricket Committee is made up of the following people:
Chairman – Sunil Gavaskar (former India captain)
Past players (two) – Majid Khan (the former Pakistan captain is standing in for Ian Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler, who is not available) and Mark Taylor (ex-Australia captain)
Representatives of current players (two) – Kumar Sangakkara (to send written comments due to his playing commitments) and Tim May (ex-Australia off-spinner, ICC Cricket World Cup winner in 1987 and now Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations)
Full Member team coach representative (one) – Mickey Arthur ( South Africa coach)
Member Board representative (one) – Duleep Mendis (former Sri Lanka captain and now SLC Chief Executive)
Associate representative (one) – Steve Tikolo ( Kenya captain)
Media representative (one) – Michael Holding (former West Indies fast bowler and now commentator for British TV station Sky Sports)
Umpires’ representative (one) – Simon Taufel (member of the Emirates Elite Panel and named Umpire of the Year four times in a row at the ICC Awards)
Referees’ representative (one) – Ranjan Madugalle (ICC chief match referee and former Sri Lanka captain)
Marylebone Cricket Club representative (one) – Keith Bradshaw (MCC Secretary and Chief Executive; former first-class cricketer for Tasmania in Australia . MCC is the custodian of the Laws of Cricket)
Statistician (one) – David Kendix (a statistician/scorer and the man responsible for the creation and development of the Reliance Mobile ICC Rankings)
ICC MEDIA RELEASE