England ex-judge to head cricket body review

AFP: Harry Woolf, formerly one of England’s top judges, will lead an independent review into the governance of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport’s ruling body said on Thursday.

Woolf, who until 2005 was the Lord Chief Justice in England, the country’s senior criminal judge, will look at the way the ICC handles investigations into corruption and its code of ethics.

He will also examine the way in which the ICC nominates and elects its president after a constitutional change to the system was discussed at last month’s council meeting in Hong Kong.

The current system, which sees the full-member nations nominate candidates on a rotational basis, has come under the spotlight after former Australian prime minister John Howard, Australia and New Zealand’s choice last year, was vetoed from taking on the role by opposition from several other nations.

“It is a privilege to be invited to undertake this important review that has implications for the whole sport of cricket,” said Woolf.

“I intend to conduct the independent review in a thorough and transparent manner that will draw on experiences and good practices from within and outside cricket,” added Woolf, who has not announced a deadline by which time his report will be completed.

“I will seek to deliver a report across the wide brief that I have been set as soon as is practicable, noting -- of course -- the need for effective consultation and the consideration of various viewpoints before any recommendations can be finalised.”

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat added: “There can be no doubt that, in Lord Woolf, the ICC Board has appointed a personality with enormous experience and reputation...It shows how seriously we are taking this exercise.”