ICC AGM: Two-tier Take a look at system, T20 World Cup growth to be mentioned
The much-debated thought of a two-tier Take a look at system, growth of the T20 World Cup and ratification of recent members are a few of the subjects that might be mentioned in depth throughout the four-day AGM of the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), starting right here from Thursday.
With the brand new World Take a look at Championship (WTC) cycle (2025-27) in progress, the dialogue on the two-tier Take a look at format is about to revolve round fund allocation and clauses surrounding promotion and relegation.
Nonetheless, it has been usually accepted that the present WTC cycle is not going to be altered, and a doable implementation of the brand new system might be carried out after 2027.
However the upcoming AGM, which might be headed by ICC chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta, will take a critical observe of this methodology since Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board are main advocates of it.
Whereas there isn’t a intention so as to add extra groups to the 50-over World Cup, the ICC might mull including extra groups to the T20 model, doubtlessly swelling it to 24 individuals. Nonetheless, any concrete choice is just not anticipated earlier than subsequent 12 months.
At current, 20 groups are competing within the showpiece after the addition of 4 extra sides for the reason that final 12 months’s World Cup and the mannequin might be retained till a minimum of the 2026 version.
However cricket’s return to the Olympics via the 2028 Los Angeles Video games, and Italy’s qualification for subsequent 12 months’s T20 World Cup, to be collectively hosted by India and Sri Lanka, have given an impetus to the growth ideas.
“Italy’s qualification for the World Cup is being considered as an indication of cricket gaining some traction with new nations, and the governing physique is eager to attach with a wider viewers,” a supply aware of the event knowledgeable PTI.
Since his elevation to the ICC prime place in December 2024, Shah has been holding a collection of high-profile engagements such because the one with FIFA president Gianni Infantino throughout the 144th IOC Session at Costa Navarino in Greece in March and with former IOC head Thomas Bach in January.
In the meantime, the ICC is prone to get a ultimate replace on the inquiry into the conduct of final 12 months’s T20 World Cup. There have been costs of a price blow-out throughout the match.
Whereas it was not formally introduced, it’s believed that the mis-handling of funds throughout the marquee occasion held within the USA and the West Indies had a task within the resignation of former CEO Geoff Allardice in late January.
In the meantime, Zambia is about to return to the ICC fold as an Affiliate member after its suspension in 2019 and East Timor can also be prone to develop into a first-time member.
Zambia was suspended because of “continued non-compliance” to amend a number of breaches of the ICC’s Membership Standards, referring to common competence and a suitable detailed governance system.
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