Singapore to host ICC annual conference

The annual conference of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to take place in Singapore, tentatively scheduled for the third week of July. Several key decisions are expected during the meet, including on the recent recommendations from the Cricket Committee regarding changes to the Playing Conditions.

The decision to host the annual ICC conference in Singapore was finalised during recent meetings held in Zimbabwe - first in Harare and later in Victoria Falls. Singapore is the constituency of ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, and this will be the first annual conference to be chaired by Jay Shah in his capacity as ICC Chairman.

It is understood that the ICC is considering forming a Working Group to examine the recent recommendations put forward by the Cricket Committee, chaired by Sourav Ganguly, a former BCCI president and a former India captain. Among the proposals is a suggestion to use a single ball from the 25th over onwards in One-Day Internationals, with the intention of bringing reverse swing back into play.

There is also a recommendation that in-game clocks be introduced in Test cricket so that 90 overs in a day can be completed. The Ganguly panel has suggested that like in white ball cricket, there should be a time limit of 60 seconds between overs in Tests too. Besides there have been some suggestions to hold the Under 19 men's World Cup in T20 format, like the women's Under 19 World Cup. Currently, the men's Under 19 World Cup in 50-over format.

The ICC is believed to be contemplating forming a working group to deep dive into these suggestions. The group has not been formed as yet but it is likely to be done soon.

Meanwhile, the ICC held preliminary discussions on the World Cricket Association (WCA), which has made several recommendations, including a restructuring of the ICC governance and a review of the existing financial distribution model. It remains unclear whether the matter was taken up by the ICC Board, but it is understood that some deliberations took place at the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) level.

The broad consensus within the CEC appears to be that the WCA lacks the locus standi to dictate terms to the global governing body - particularly since it does not represent the international cricket fraternity entirely. Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the most influential board in world cricket, does not recognise it.

It was also noted during the meeting that only a handful of Full Member boards have granted affiliation to the organisation, which previously identified itself as FICA. There appeared to be some consensus that individual boards would engage with their players who are associated with the WCA. However, the likelihood of the report gaining formal acceptance from the global governing body remains slim.