FICA chief Paul Marsh slams International Cricket Council reforms

Cricket's most powerful players representative says planned reforms of world cricket will widen the gap between the sport's big three and smaller nations, undermining the competitiveness of the international game. (Cricket to be run by India, England, Australia?)

Paul Marsh, head of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) which combines the player associations of seven of the International Cricket Council's 10 full members, described aspects of the leaked reform proposals as "disturbing," saying they will broaden disparities between cricket's "rich and poor."

Although details of the proposals have not been made public, they are reported to give India, England and Australia control over the ICC, test cricket, its revenue, and a greater say in when and where they play series. The three also would hold dominance over the ICC's decision-making executive board. (Also read: PCB declare 'war' against India's dominance in world cricket)

Marsh on Wednesday joined widespread criticism of the new regulations drawn up by a working group of the ICC finance and commercial affairs committee. South Africa has already condemned the draft document as 'fundamentally flawed'.

The proposed reforms would likely see the revision or abandonment of the Future Tours Program which guarantees smaller nations regular series against the big three sides. "The proposals relating to scheduling are disturbing," Marsh said.

"Of significance is the section that offers a guarantee from Cricket Australia and the ECB to play three tests and five ODIs per cycle to each of the top eight members, yet there is no mention of any such guarantee from the BCCI."

Marsh said all ICC member nations, including Australia and England, rely heavily on proceeds from India tours for the sustainability of the sport in their country. "What chance do the majority of members have of survival if the BCCI decides not to tour their countries on at least a semi-regular basis?" he said. (Related: NZC backs proposed changes)

Marsh also raised concerns about the proposal's recommendation that revenues be distributed to ICC members on a pro-rata basis, "based on commercial contribution."

"The result of this will be the countries that need ICC income most will receive the least while the 'big three' will get the lion's share even though they are already financially healthy because of the value of the rights to their bilateral series.

"The role of ICC events should be to assist in leveling the financial playing field by distributing the proceeds from these events fairly, rather than further widening the gap between the rich and poor."

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson indicated there was still a long process to be followed before any reforms were implemented. "These are just recommendations that they have put together, it's by our working group of members of our finance and commercial affairs committee," he said. (BCCI eyes bigger share in ICC revenue)

"They are representatives from England, Australia and India. Those proposals are still to be discussed in full by our finance committee as an example and the full ICC board when it meets at the end of January.

"So at this stage it's far too premature for the ICC to make any comment on the content of the proposals because as we speak, we're still going through them, getting further clarifications, finding out exactly what is intended, and then hopefully we will be able to have (a) proper discussion about these at the board meeting at the end of the month."