Pressure mounts on USA Cricket ahead of annual ICC conference

The upcoming annual conference of the International Cricket Council (ICC) will decide the fate of USA Cricket, as the cricket body is likely to be put “on notice”.

In a message sent to its members, the global body stressed that USA Cricket “does not currently meet the ICC membership criteria” and that if they cannot demonstrate compliance, the sanction will move them closer to suspension from membership.

In the five-page document accessible via CricketNextThe ICC has stated that “USAC has yet to complete the governance reform processes recommended by the USA Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) that are required to obtain National Governing Body certification (a requirement for all newly recognized sports added to the LA 2028 Games program) in accordance with the USOPC NGB membership criteria.”

The global organization further pointed to the lack of an “appropriate administrative structure” and stressed that USAC operates without a CEO.

Senior officials from USA Cricket have already sent a detailed response and are likely to refute the points when they are raised at the conference in Sri Lanka.

“It is a conspiracy by the ICC management to bring us down and give operational control to the T20 World Cup staff USA Inc., who ran the operation during the World Cup,” a USA Cricket official said.

USAC has been without a CEO since the split with Dr Noor Murad, but it is understood the cricket association is “almost ready” to announce its new name.

The issue of the USOPC application was also addressed in USAC’s response to the ICC, which indicated that it is not that simple.

“We have informed the ICC that the USOPC application is a two-year process, but management expects us to fall short of the requirements,” the source added.

Excerpts from the ICC note:

“The USOPC has written to USAC expressing serious concerns about USAC’s continued governance. While this does not put USAC in breach of ICC membership criteria, it reflects broader concerns about USAC’s governance. However, the USOPC has stated that if USAC does not achieve NGB certification, they will be required to initiate a process to recognise an alternative NGB for cricket, which could put USAC in breach of ICC membership criteria to be “recognised by the ICC (in its sole discretion) as the primary governing body responsible for the governance, management and development of cricket (men’s and women’s) in its country”.

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“USAC still does not have an appropriate administrative structure. USAC currently does not have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent CEO after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process has been initiated for a replacement CEO. In April, the two remaining USAC Development employees (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these employees has not yet been initiated. Currently, replacement employees are temporary and part-time contractors”

The memo also mentions Cricket Chile’s non-compliance, but it is USA Cricket that will draw much of the attention during the four days in Sri Lanka. The ICC management has apparently already made up its mind, but senior officials at USA Cricket are working overtime to drum up support from other members.

It is learnt that many USA Cricket officials explained their situation to influential ICC members during the USA leg of the T20 World Cup. The co-hosts were mere spectators during the multi-national event, as all the work was done by ICC staff. The issue, and the overspending during the World Cup, is likely to be discussed at length.

Provisional schedule in Sri Lanka:

July 19: Associate Members Meeting

July 20: Chief Executives Committee (CEC) Meeting

July 21: Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee meeting + informal board meeting

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July 22: ICC and IBC Board Meetings + General Members Meeting

“USAC still does not have an appropriate administrative structure. USAC currently does not have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent CEO after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process has been initiated for a replacement CEO. In April, the two remaining USAC Development employees (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these employees has not yet been initiated. Currently, replacement employees are temporary and part-time contractors”

The memo also mentions Cricket Chile’s non-compliance, but it is USA Cricket that will draw much of the attention during the four days in Sri Lanka. The ICC management has apparently already made up its mind, but senior officials at USA Cricket are working overtime to drum up support from other members.

It is learnt that many USA Cricket officials explained their situation to influential ICC members during the USA leg of the T20 World Cup. The co-hosts were mere spectators during the multi-national event, as all the work was done by ICC staff. The issue, and the overspending during the World Cup, is likely to be discussed at length.

Provisional schedule in Sri Lanka:

July 19: Associate Members Meeting

July 20: Chief Executives Committee (CEC) Meeting

July 21: Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee meeting + informal board meeting

July 22: ICC and IBC Board Meetings + General Members Meeting