New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect, a decision taken after the ICC Board’s meetings in Ahmedabad. The governing body cited serious failures to meet the obligations tied to membership.
Suspension decision and reasons
- The ICC Board resolved to place Cricket Canada under suspension from ICC membership, citing significant breaches of its membership duties.
- The action follows a documentary broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in April, which alleged corruption within Cricket Canada’s administration.
- The programme raised governance concerns, including claims of match manipulation and threats of violence connected to certain players and officials.
Even with the suspension in place, the ICC said it has taken measures to ensure Canadian cricketers are not harmed by the administrative problems affecting the national governing body. It added that Canada’s national teams will remain eligible to take part in ICC events throughout the suspension period.
Impact on Canadian players and funding arrangements
The ICC said the Board considered it crucial to safeguard the interests of Canadian players and prevent them from being disadvantaged due to governance issues inside the national structure. As a result, Canadian teams representing the country in ICC competitions will continue to be able to compete during the suspension.
The ICC also confirmed that Cricket Canada will keep receiving financial backing, but only through a tightly controlled funding process supervised by ICC management. That money, the ICC clarified, can be used exclusively for approved programmes related to national teams.
In addition, Cricket Canada will be given a defined set of conditions that it must satisfy before membership can be restored. The ICC Normalisation Committee, working alongside ICC management, will oversee how those requirements are met.
Reinstatement conditions and monitoring
The ICC further stated that a specific set of reinstatement prerequisites will be provided to Cricket Canada to address the governance and administrative issues highlighted by the Board. Monitoring of progress against these requirements will be handled by the ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by ICC management, and any return to full membership will be dependent on the Board being satisfied that the conditions have been fully achieved.
Other ICC decisions approved by the Board
Alongside the suspension, the ICC Board also approved several recommendations put forward by the Chief Executives Committee, including changes aimed at improving match conditions and decision-making in the field.
Pink-ball trial in Tests
One recommendation includes a trial that would permit the use of a pink ball in Test matches, but only if both teams agree. The ICC said the intent is to reduce time lost due to poor light.
Collaboration with MCC on lighting research
The ICC will also work with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on research into lighting systems that could help match officials and venues manage poor-light situations more effectively.
Hawk-Eye access for suspected illegal actions
In another procedural update, match officials will be allowed to access Hawk-Eye data when evaluating and reporting suspected illegal bowling actions.
Playing-condition changes
The Board also endorsed updates to playing conditions, including a rule change that allows head coaches—or a designated representative—to consult with players during the scheduled drinks break.
For T20 Internationals, the ICC introduced a mandatory 15-minute interval, and it also set a requirement that batters must be prepared when play resumes after any break.
