ICC to leave the UK

[Occasional Fan]

Although this is not yet decided, the Telegraph clearly believes it is as good as done now. The driving force, apparently, is the failure of the UK Government to grant tax concessions to the ICC. My personal view is that such concessions should not be given, since the ICC is a profitable business after all, and all other profitable businesses in the UK pay tax. So, not much sympathy on that score with Mr Mani, who is disappointed with the UK Government, it seems.

I do, however, sympathise with him on the matter of the discussions which Richard Caborn, UK Minister of Sport, has said he would like to have with the ICC "next time they are in town".

Originally Posted by Ehsan Mani

The ICC have been in town since 1909. Our chief executive, Malcolm Speed,is based at Lord's, and I live here.

Wakey, wakey, Mr Caborn!

Full telegraph article here.

[idlap]

Well to be absolutely blunt I'd like to see the ICC leave cricket. At the moment the ICC isn't running the game for the interests of cricket but of money men and certain power blocks who see there interests served above those of cricket. Although the ICC has meged with the IWCC to allow a better structure, i really think that it's time fro a new governing body to come into existence as issues such as broadcasting rights, safety ,drugs and moral issues dominate the modern sport. Cricket is no longer the bastion of any one power group it is a world sport that should cater for as wide a following as possible.
As long as the ICC continues to be a covert political force instead of concentrating upon the issues of developing and growing cricket as a world wide sport, cricket will continue to be seen as in a state of crises .

Any governing body which seriously suggests that test matches could become history needs a real reality check.

The competitions it runs are open to question and it's recognition or failure to recognise contests seems bewildering (Asia cup not recognised!)

The ICC will leave the UK. Perhaps they will relocate to a low cost country. This could be intersting as cricket moves towards being a global sport.
I think it' s time that historical links and statuses were just that, historical . The English may have invented the game, and perhaps have a duty to ensure that the game remains fairly unchanged in its nucleus. But that doesn't mean excluding other nations from cricket.

What future for Lords as the home of cricket? Well the MCC will continue and they are responsible for the laws of the game. Which gives them power over the game, perhaps more so than the ICC.
I have never been to Lords but when I listen to a match there it seems to be a goal for most players to play there. Like Wembley for football. And this will continue.
Lords won't be the home of cricket any more, perhaps only the cradle or kindergarten of cricket.

So goodbye ICC . It's could be the best thing for the game of cricket. Or the worst. Off to the finishing school in Switzerland.

[imaginarydiva]

Or is it Dubai?