ICC revamp good for West Indies: Cameron

Friday, 21 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: The WICB president Whycliffe Cameron has said the governance, finance and fixtures restructuring of the ICC, proposed by BCCI, CA and ECB, would leave West Indies cricket well placed monetarily to safeguard the development of the sport in the region. The WICB was one of eight boards that supported the proposed changes at the ICC meeting in Singapore, and Cameron said West Indies’ Full Member status would be unaffected after the transition.

“The WICB projects an increase of more than 100% in ICC revenue for the upcoming eight-year cycle of international matches based on the proposals when compared to the previous eight-year cycle,” Cameron said. The present FTP, according to Cameron, was unfavourable to the WICB and a cause for their financial problems. Under the new system of bilateral negotiations to determine fixtures, he said West Indies could ensure they played more profitable series. “Currently, West Indies have the most unfavourable allocation of matches of all the Full Members of the ICC, based on the current FTP schedule, and this is largely the reason the WICB is set to have a major deficit at the end of the financial year, September 30, 2014,” Cameron said. “Based on the proposed bilateral structure, the WICB will be able to negotiate fees when the West Indies team plays in away series, as was the case prior to the establishment of the FTP. “As the West Indies team continues to regain strength, the WICB will be able to negotiate more for our brand, which is a most significant consideration. Also, where the WICB hosts unprofitable tours, we will now be able to access the newly proposed Test Match Fund to help offset costs. We can inform you now that the WICB has already secured commitments from the major boards to play an increased number of matches and series during the next eight-year cycle.” Cameron said the WICB had no need to worry about a two-tier Test system because he felt West Indies were unlikely to sink to 10th in the rankings. “The risk of ‘relegation’ is only realistic for the 10th-ranked team. West Indies is currently ranked seventh and is in no realistic position to be ranked 10th in the foreseeable future. “With the increased revenue and a fortified development program, the WICB is determined to ensure that the West Indies team is nowhere near being ranked 10th in the world, allowing us to continue to play all formats of the game in full – and put us in a strong position to negotiate with every other Full Member for participation in home and away tours.” Despite the restructuring giving greater power to the boards of India, England and Australia, Cameron said the WICB’s role in the ICC would not diminish. “We want to make it abundantly clear: The WICB has not relinquished any powers as a Full Member of the ICC. The WICB remains a Full Member of the ICC with full voting rights on all matters.” “The WICB will be eligible for membership to all committees, chairmanship of all committees, and the presidency and chairmanship of the ICC. As such, I am a member of the Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee and will retain that position following the organisational transition. The WICB is extremely confident it will not be hurt by the organisational transition of the ICC and the world governing body will be stronger outfit as a result.”