The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a formal notice to USA Cricket and Cricket Chile, demanding that they address significant governance and administrative shortcomings within the next 12 months. This action comes just weeks after the United States co-hosted the T20 World Cup 2024 with the West Indies.
The ICC’s notice highlights that both cricket boards lack a suitable governance and administrative framework, which is crucial for meeting ICC membership criteria. Although the ICC did not provide specific details, it warned that failure to comply could result in suspension or expulsion.
The notice follows criticisms of the T20 World Cup’s venues, particularly the wicket in New York, which was developed in Florida and criticized for its uneven bounce and unpredictability. These issues affected the quality of the games, prompting the ICC to announce a review of the tournament’s delivery.
The timing of the notice is significant as cricket prepares for its return to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles. The ICC’s recent conference in Colombo focused on capitalizing on this Olympic opportunity to boost the sport’s profile and infrastructure.
In addition to addressing governance concerns, the ICC reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of women’s cricket by confirming that the Women’s T20 World Cup will expand from 12 to 16 teams in 2030.
