ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-USA-ICC
ICC approves USA reinstatement as 105th member
WASHINGTON, Jan 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The International Cricket Council
approved USA Cricket as its 105th member on Tuesday, restoring the sport in
the United States after the expulsion of a previous national governing body.
The move making USA Cricket the ICC’s 93rd associate member allows the
group to obtain ICC development funding and sanction international and
domestic cricket in the United States.
That is expected to open the door for T20 Internationals to be played in
Florida, which has a large base of West Indies supporters.
“This is truly an exciting day for USA Cricket and the entire US cricket
community,” USA Cricket board chair Paraag Marathe said. “On behalf of the
board of directors, I’d like to thank the ICC and their 104 other members for
their trust in us.”
The USA Cricket Association had previously been an associate member of the
ICC but was suspended over governance issues for a third time in 2015 before
being expelled in June 2017.
An ICC Americas regional support group oversaw US cricket as a transition
plan was made while USA Cricket, based in Colorado near the home of the US
Olympic Committee, was formed and began its growth into a sustainable
governing body.
“This is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and I would like to
congratulate the chair of
USA Cricket, Paraag Marathe, and the board, on this important milestone
and wish them all the very best for the future,” ICC chief executive David
Richardson said.
All governing body obligations will be handed to USA Cricket this month
with recruiting of a chief executive and other management spots to follow as
Marathe hopes to “unlock the sport’s undoubted potential for growth.”
A request for proposals for a domestic US T20 league has a January 18
deadline with Marathe aiming to start such a competition by 2021.
“We realize the incredible responsibility that comes with this recognition
and we are committed to working hard to be great stewards of the game both
for the United States and global cricket,” Marathe said.
“We do not take this responsibility lightly and pledge to lead this great
game with the integrity, passion and tireless work ethic that is a foundation
for global cricket.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1855HRS