The ICC insists that IPL is a good concept and brings benefits to the game. It is also willing to work more closely with the BCCI in this regard. For now though, it does seem as if the BCCI and the ICC have agreed that all headaches will rest solely with the franchise owners.

Other decisions taken

Hair reinstated as Test Umpire

Darrell Hair, who had been banned since November 2006 because of his conduct during a Test between Pakistan and England that led to the first forfeit in Test cricket’s 129-year history finally got a green signal from the International Cricket Council and would be reinstated as a Test umpire and his position will be reviewed at the end of March 2009. Hair’s appointment comes after he completed his ‘rehabilitation program’

ChampionsTrophy on schedule

The ICC Board gave their green signal to the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan from September 11-28. The tournament will be held in three venues across the country though a final decision on the venues is yet to be made. Also a full independent security assessment of the situation in Pakistan will be conducted in June

14-team format for 2011 WC

With India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the next World Cup in 2011, the Board decided upon a 14-team format for the mega event so that the tourney becomes of shorter time frame as compared to the 2007 edition. The detailed format, venues and schedule will be finalized in due course of time. With 14-team format the 10 full members will automatically qualify for the event with the remaining four places to the semi-finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, scheduled for 2009 in Dubai.

... contd.