India could soon be the boss of world cricket
According to a draft proposed by the BCCI, alongwith ECB and CA, the trio could soon take charge of all the administrative responsibilities and powers of the ICC.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) could be in for a structural overhaul as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set its sight on gaining a major stronghold in the functioning of the game, alongside England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA).
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the ICC could consider a proposal of wholesale changes, a draft for which will be presented in its next meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. The three boards have made multiple suggestions and recommended many changes that could give major control of the cricketing affairs - on and off the field - to them.
According to the draft made by a working group of the ICC's Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA)committee -- of which BCCI,CA and ECB are important members, an array of changes have been recommended with respect to revenue distribution model, changes in Future Tours Programme (FTP). The draft has also called for the reinstatement of the Champions Trophy over the World Test Championship and proposed a two-tier system in Tests (with promotion and relegation) instead of Test rankings. (Also read: PCB miffed, will oppose proposed changes | New Zealand Cricket backs move)
The draft mentions the creation of a four-member group called the 'executive committee' between the executive board -- comprising of heads of the national boards-- and the ICC. This committee will include the representatives of the three boards who will take turns annually as chairmen. A fourth member will be nominated by this executive board and will belong to one of the other seven full member nations. If created, this committee will have all the powers with respect to different matters concerning the board and the game at large.
For the revenue distribution model, a proposal of 'meritocracy over membership' has been made according to which, there will be something called the 'contribution cost' which comes as a recognition for the boards that contribute in generating revenue for ICC to sustain the game.
Furthermore, the break-down of percentages of the entire ICC revenue has been 'worked out' and submitted to the ICC by the three boards. This system ensures the three boards will only get richer with every tournament.
Although these radical chances and proposal need an approval from the member boards, the document contains an April 2014 deadline. If this proposal gets accepted, it will strengthen BCCI's grip on world cricket and add to their financial growth.