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Tuesday, 15 May 2007, 12:16 GMT 13:16 UK

ICC must modernise, say top stars

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed and president Percy Sonn Cricket's governing body has been urged to modernise by leading cricketers who say they have lost confidence in it.

In a survey by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, 56% doubted the ICC's ability to govern the game or organise World Cups.

A staggering 89% of international players rated the recent World Cup in the Caribbean as average or worse.

Fica chief executive Tim May said: "There has been growing dissatisfaction regarding the governance of our game."

He added: "An independent review will determine what is the best and most applicable structure for cricket's international governing body.

"We strongly believe that the present structure...is outdated and not in the best interests of the game."

Fica's World Cup survey showed 64% of players believe the same tournament structure - four groups of four, followed by Super 8s - should be retained for the next World Cup.

But 87% felt the competition was too long, with the survey concluding that "The death of Bob Woolmer, the early exit of India and Pakistan, the long and laborious Super 8s, the lack of exciting matches, the rain-affected final, the unfortunate umpire/referee error at the final, and the long periods that players had at their disposal between matches all affected the players opinion."

May says the ICC should take the blame for the organisational problems and the controversy surrounding Darrell Hair, its anti-doping policy and Zimbabwe.

The governing body appears has acted swiftly on the former Australia star's criticism of its committees, which used to be made up of nominated representatives from each Test-playing country and leading Associate Member countries.

A new 13-man cricket committee has been formed which will feature former and current Test stars and umpiring officials.

Headed by ex-India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, it will meet for the first time on 30 and 31 May in Dubai, with a remit to "discuss and consult on any cricket-playing matters and formulate recommendations" to the ICC's executive board.

Also on the committee are ex-West Indies pacemen Ian Bishop and Michael Holding, former captains Mark Taylor (Australia) and Craig Wright (Scotland), current Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene, and ex-Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody.



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Related to this story:

ICC pressed for Zimbabwe action (11 May 07 |  Australia )
Speed admits World Cup too long (26 Apr 07 |  Cricket )
ICC can't stop fixing, says Waugh (02 Apr 07 |  Cricket )
ICC will 'target-test' for drugs (01 Mar 07 |  Pakistan )
Cricket bosses to fight Hair writ (08 Feb 07 |  Cricket )

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