The International Cricket Council proposal to host the ICC World Cup every three years instead of the present four has been turned down by the full member nations of the world governing body for the sport.
The idea to hold the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (50 overs) every three years was reportedly floated at a recent working group meeting of the chief executives of ICC’s full member nations in London. The member nations who attended the meeting unanimously shut down the proposal, national daily Times of India has reported. The members reportedly are more keen in T20.
“The instant turning down of ICC’s proposal is clearly the beginning of an idea that going forward, only T20 cricket on a global scale is what stakeholders are looking at,” the paper has quoted anonymous sources as saying.
“Outside of bilateral cricket, it is becoming evident with each passing season that the only global tournament that is delivering value to stakeholders is a T20 event. The 50-over tournament, outside of the (Indian) subcontinent, clearly won’t have takers in the long or short run. At the highest level that cricket can set the bar, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the only global benchmark,” say those tracking industry developments. “If ICC eyes top value in return for the properties, the IPL is where the bar is set right now.
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“The idea was to have one event every year (50-over World Cup, World T20 and women’s World Cup) and the intention was to build a sort of continuity with all stakeholders, be it the broadcaster or sponsors,” the paper writes, referring to sources in the know of ICC’s plans.
ICC media rights partner Star TV has reportedly reserved its reaction. It would reportedly be only in a position to communicate what value the idea deserves once it is on the table.
“A majority of Full Member nations – with India, England and Australia at the helm – were not interested in a WC every three years. Which is understandable, you see. They’re all trying to protect their respective homes seasons. Look at England, for instance. Their CEO Tom Harrison was strongly against the idea floated by the ICC simply because the best months available for England to play cricket at home are during the English summer. There’s no way they’ll look to share that slot with ICC. The present World Cup scheduling is a classic example,” sources said.
The ICC is currently in a state of administrative transition as incumbet chief executive David Richardson is handing over the charge to broadcast administration veteran Maun Sawhney.
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