Global cricket powerhouse BCCI on Wednesday had to endure a double blow at the international level after it found itself completely isolated and comprehensively defeated by the ICC fraternity comprising Test playing nations that voted overwhelmingly in favour of change.
The twin defeat thoroughly exposed a weakened BCCI as its inexperienced representatives (in terms of representation at the ICC) completely failed to understand the master strategy of the ICC and its member nations and were left red faced at the end of the voting. Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary represented the BCCI in the ICC Executive Board meeting. The BCCI was opposing the financial model and wanted the 2014 model, which ensured lion’s share of revenue to India, be continued.
Interestingly, the force behind the proponent of change is an Indian, Shashank Manohar, a former BCCI president. Manohar has recently resigned when the BCCI refused to accept his compromise formula vis-à-vis the proposed financial model.
The BCCI lost 1-13 votes when the ICC Executive Board voted in favour a new revenue model, the lone vote being its own. Its second defeat came when the house voted for a revised ICC constitution, and this time the BCCI lost 2-12.
Usually, the ICC never discloses the exact results on issues that go to vote. But on Thursday, it announced the number of votes polled in favour and against the two contentious models, which will now be presented to the ICC Full Council in June for adoption.
“Based on current forecasted (sic) revenues and costs, BCCI will receive $293 million across the eight year cycle, ECB $143 million, Zimbabwe Cricket $94 million and the remaining seven Full Members $132 million each. Associate Members will receive funding of $280 million. This model was passed 13 votes to one,” the ICC statement said on Thursday.
The revenue distribution is for the cycle 2016-2023.
“A revised constitution was also approved by 12 votes to two. This takes into account the Board’s feedback following extensive discussion at the February meeting and further input from the working group. It will now be presented to the ICC Full Council in June for adoption. The constitution reflects good governance, expands on and clarifies the roles and objectives of the ICC to provide leadership in international cricket,” it said.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said, “This is another step forward for world cricket and I look forward to concluding the work at the Annual Conference. I am confident we can provide a strong foundation for the sport to grow and improve globally in the future through the adoption of the revised financial model and governance structure.”
But before the annual ICC conference starts in June, there is a real threat to the Champions Trophy that starts on June 1 in England. The BCCI has missed the April 25 deadline for nations to announce their teams for the tournament.
A sulking BCCI, with its president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke having been sacked by the Supreme Court in January, has indicated that it might not send the Indian team to the Champions Trophy, the second most important cricket tournament after the 50-over World Cup. But no one has come on record on that issue so far.
The next few days will be crucial as another round of the ongoing battle of attrition between the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) and the BCCI officials looks like breaking out.
The main issue, which has been going on for a while, is about who controls BCCI at the moment, though the Supreme Court has made it clear that CoA was the supreme authority for governance purpose.
The BCCI officials now plan to convene a special meeting of the general body to discuss the raging issues, including India’s participation in the Champions Trophy. It will not be easy at all for the BCCI to decide to boycott the tournament and actually do so. If at all such a decision is taken – which will be seen as a revenge for the defeat at the ICC -- the CoA will come in action and would surely approach the Supreme Court.
The ICC Executive Board-appointed a working group that proposed the model, guided by the following principles: Equity, good conscience, common sense and simplicity, enabling every member to grow, revenue generated by members, and greater transparency.
The constitutional changes proposed include: The potential to include additional Full Members in the future subject to meeting Membership criteria; Removal of the Affiliate level of Membership so only two categories; full member and associate member; the introduction of an independent female director; the introduction of membership criteria and a membership committee established to consider membership applications; the introduction of a deputy chairman of the Board who will be a sitting director elected by the Board to stand in for the chairman in the event that he or she is unable to fulfil their duties; equal weight of votes for all Board Members regardless of Membership status; all Members to be entitled to attend the AGM.
Other decisions of note also include:
Cricket: Work on bringing more context to international bilateral cricket is ongoing with the matter discussed at the Chief Executives’ Committee and in an additional workshop. The ICC Board noted the collective will to resolve the current calendar congestion in order to bring a clear framework to all three formats.
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The ICC Board has considered an update following the ICC delegation to the PSL final in Lahore as part of its commitment to support the return of international bilateral cricket to Pakistan as long as it is safe for players, officials, media and fans.
The feasibility of further matches in Pakistan involving a World XI is now being considered from a security and budget perspective.
The eight top ranked ODI teams competing in the second edition of the Women’s Championship commencing later this year, will be required to play a fixed set of three ODI fixtures against each of the other teams. The Women’s Committee has also recommended that any additional matches played (up to five) should be T20Is in recognition of the role the format can play in the growth of the game.
It was agreed that a separate rankings system for Women’s ODI and T20I cricket be developed with the latter being fully inclusive of all international teams playing that format.
It was agreed that DRS can be used in women’s televised bilateral ODIs if host Member boards choose to do so.
Development: The principles behind a revised ICC World T20 2020 global qualification structure were endorsed by the Development Committee and ICC management will now develop a more detailed proposal for consideration at the ICC Board in June.
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Following consideration of a report on ICC activities in China, the Board agreed to the development of a detailed China Growth Strategy for consideration by the ICC Board in June in consultation with the Asian Cricket Council and Hong Kong Cricket Association.
The ICC Board also agreed to a recommendation from the Development Committee to pay the outstanding salaries to national contracted players whilst the Cricket Association of Nepal is suspended and undergoing constitutional reform and reinstatement process.
Governance: The ICC Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee and Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee approved the unqualified audited financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2016.
The Board approved a new Code of Ethics in line with global best practice to join together most effective practices from sport and other industry.
Noting the BCCI’s commitment to reconsidering the matter in the near future, the Chief Executives’ Committee reconfirmed its support for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics.
