Woolf expresses fears over ICC proposals

A former Lord Chief Justice, who was commissioned to review the ICC in 2012, has told Britain's Times newspaper that new plans are a "retrograde step".

Plans to hand new powers to the national boards of India, England and Australia represent a "retrograde step" according to the man who headed a review into the governance of the International Cricket Council.

Lord Woolf, a former Lord Chief Justice, was commissioned to review the undertakings of the ICC and in 2012 recommended an independent executive committee, alongside less influence for the richest nations.

He has, therefore, been a concerned observer as proposals that would act directly counter to those aims have reached the corridors of power.

A controversial 'position paper' was debated at last month's ICC board meeting. The board will convene again in Singapore on Saturday to potentially vote on reform.

Proposals include a new executive committee leading the ICC, with three of the five seats reserved for the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.

Redistribution of central funds is also a central point, with the largest cash generators due to receive a larger slice of future income.

Again, that would benefit the so-called 'big three' most of all.

Assessing the plans, Woolf told The Times: "My sole concern throughout the report was of achieving the best result for the future of cricket.

"I don't see how, if we had this (position paper) to consider, we could see it as anything but a retrograde step.

"It is giving extraordinary powers to a small triumvirate and everybody else has got no power to say anything or do anything."

The board that meets in Singapore includes representatives of all 10 full member nations, as well as three apiece from the associate nations and the ICC itself.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world