ICC Executive Board Briefing Note
18th & 19th October 2001, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Next week's meeting of the ICC Executive Board will consider a wide range of matters ranging from tougher measures on player discipline to penalties for countries failing to fulfil fixture commitments, the feasibility of a One Day International world rankings system and the adoption of the ICC's first strategic plan.

The week of meetings will also include Finance & Marketing and Cricket Committee-Management (attended by the chief executives of member countries). These come less than a week after the public launch of the ICC's vision for the future and unveiling of a new brand identity in London.

"Earlier this week we spoke about the new ICC and its aims and objectives for the international game. Next week in Kuala Lumpur we return to the business of making it happen. There is a full and demanding agenda that will require serious debate and decision making by members to allow the ICC to move forward across a number of important fronts," commented ICC President Malcolm Gray.

Among the major issues for discussion will be:

* Removal of Suspended Suspensions and Fine Limits

To give match referees greater powers, the Board will be asked to approve the removal of suspended suspensions, upper limits on financial penalties and time limits on bans for players found guilty of serious breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct. At present, players can be fined up to 75% of their match fees, and banned for a maximum of three Testand six ODIs.

* Future Tours Program Penalties

The Board will be asked to approve penalties for countries that knowingly fail to fulfil their fixture commitments under the ICC Future Tours Program. A financial penalty of US$2 million, or if greater, the budgeted gross revenue for the tour, is proposed for payment by the non-complying country.

For Test tours, the non-offending country would also receive two ICC Test Championship points, as though it had won the series.

An ICC Disputes Committee would be set up to adjudicate contested cases. Countries would be exempt from penalties where fixtures had been cancelled due to force majeure, natural disaster, war or where the safety of players and officials was proven to be at risk.

* One Day International Championship

Following the successful launch of the ICC Test Championship in May this year, the ICC will consider the introduction of a One Day International equivalent, to add greater context to this form of the game.

A number of options are being considered, with a final recommendation to be made to the February Board meeting, for adoption and introduction by April next year.

* Implementation of Anti-Corruption Recommendations

At its June meeting the Executive Board adopted each of the 24 recommendations contained in Lord Condon's Anti-Corruption Report.

In Malaysia the Board will receive a detailed update on progress made to date against each of those recommendations. After consideration at the meeting, a summary of this will be available to interested media.

* Umpires & Referees Panels

An update will be given on the progress made towards implementing the new professional panels of umpires and referees. Initially, there will be eight Elite umpires, with this number planned to increase in the second and third years of the system. Two independent umpires will stand in each Test and one member of the International panel in all ODIs.

The International panel will consist of 20 umpires (two from each Full Member) and there will be five full time ICC Referees. The new system will be introduced from the beginning of April 2002.

* ICC Strategic Plan

The ICC has never before had a business plan setting out its aims and objectives for the international game. The Board will be asked to approve a five-year strategic plan covering the years 2001 to 2005.

This will act as a blueprint for the development of the organisation into a modern and powerful world governing body for cricket. Among many recommendations, the plan envisages a doubling of staff employed by the ICC in London and Monaco over the next 12 to 18 months.

The final version of the Strategic Plan will be available as a public document.

* ICC Development Program

A new tournament structure will be considered, to include all Associate and Affiliate members and to replace the existing ICC Trophy structure. If adopted, this would ultimately result in an ICC Trophy of 12 teams and an ICC Plate featuring the next 12 ranked teams by 2005.

The process for reviewing Kenya's application for Test match status will be progressed by the Board's approval for an Inspection Delegation to visit the country and review its cricketing facilities and infrastructure.

Editor's note: a media conference confirming the major outcomes of the Executive board meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the afternoon on Friday 19th October. (KL local time). A summary media release will also be circulated by email to international media.

Media contacts:
Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 20 7266 7913 / 1818
Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

Jonathan Hemus/Andrew Baud
Countrywide Porter Novelli
Tel: + 44 1295 224478 / 224398
Email: jonathan.hemus@cpn.co.uk

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