The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning big changes at USA Cricket (USAC). This is being done after a request from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The goal is to help USAC get official recognition as a National Governing Body (NGB), since only NGBs can send teams to the Olympics.
Cricket was added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2023. As the host country, the USA is expected to take part in both men’s and women’s cricket. But USAC must first get NGB status to compete.
ICC Shares Roadmap with USA Cricket
In July 2023, the USOPC warned USAC about losing its status. To avoid this, the ICC sent a six-step plan to USAC on July 10. This happened before the ICC’s big annual meeting in Singapore on July 20.
The plan was made by the ICC’s Normalisation Committee. This group is led by ICC chairman Jay Shah. The committee met USAC leaders twice, once online in April and then in Los Angeles in June.
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The first step is to remove the current independent directors from the USAC board. They will be replaced by three new members, including at least one woman. The ICC and USOPC will select the new names.
Then, all current board members must take a two-year break. After the new directors join, the entire board will step down. USAC can then apply for NGB recognition. A full review of the USAC constitution will also take place. A USOPC observer will help guide the new board.
The USOPC says the current board is not working well. They believe new leaders and a new culture are needed. However, they say the changes will take six to nine months to complete.
USAC Board Refuses to Quit
On July 13, USAC held a meeting. Chairman Venu Pisike said most board members did not want to resign. He added that the ICC’s roadmap was not final. He hopes for a better solution.
