July 22, 2024

T20 World Cup USA Leg Results in ₹165 Crore Loss for ICC; Review Committee Formed

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken significant action following the challenges faced during the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies last month. On Monday, the ICC announced the formation of a three-member committee tasked with reviewing the tournament’s execution and addressing the numerous issues that arose. The committee includes seasoned cricket professionals, including former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, alongside ICC directors Lawson Naidoo and Imran Khwaja, the deputy chair of the ICC. This decision highlights the ICC’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

In an official statement, the ICC declared: “The delivery of the ICC T20 World Cup will be reviewed, as confirmed by the ICC Board. Three directors—Imran Khwaja, Lawson Naidoo, and Roger Twose—will be in charge of this and report back to the board later in the year.” This review is especially important in light of the financial implications of the tournament, which reportedly incurred losses exceeding USD 20 million from matches held in New York, Florida, and Dallas. Such losses raise serious questions about the financial planning and management of such a high-profile event.

The budget allocated for the US leg of the tournament was around USD 150 million; however, expenses far exceeded this amount, leading to concerns among influential board members regarding the financial oversight and decision-making processes involved in organizing the tournament. The inability to adhere to the budget has highlighted potential shortcomings in the ICC’s financial management practices, necessitating a thorough investigation into the factors contributing to these economic difficulties.

One major issue was the poor quality of the drop-in pitches used for the matches. Although designed for quick setups in various locations, the pitches underperformed, affecting play quality and spectator enjoyment. Logistical challenges further hampered the tournament, with transportation and venue coordination issues impacting the smooth execution of events.

The ticketing system also faced significant problems, creating confusion among fans eager to attend matches. Reports of unfulfilled ticket orders and difficulties accessing purchased tickets frustrated many cricket enthusiasts. The immediate revenue from ticket sales was impacted by these problems. They tarnished the fan experience, potentially deterring future attendance at cricketing events.

Compounding these challenges and handling various tenders and contracts related to the tournament have come under scrutiny. The committee will investigate procurement processes to identify any mismanagement or irregularities in contract awards. Ensuring that future events are organized with diligence and oversight is crucial to avoid repeating past mistakes.

The repercussions of these challenges have already been felt at the executive level, with Chris Tetley, the head of events, resigning shortly after the tournament concluded. While the official reason cited was the overwhelming demands of managing an ICC flagship event each year, his departure raises questions about leadership effectiveness in addressing the problems that arose.

In addition to internal reviews, the ICC has placed the USA and Chile on notice, granting them one year to comply with ICC standards. This decision underscores the ICC’s proactive approach to ensuring that all member nations meet the necessary criteria for hosting international events, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards in cricket governance and event management, especially in emerging markets like the USA.

Establishing this review committee is a crucial step in the ICC’s efforts to learn from the shortcomings of the T20 World Cup and implement changes that will enhance future tournaments. By addressing the financial and operational issues identified during this review, the ICC aims to bolster its reputation and ensure cricket continues to grow as a global sport. Stakeholders and fans alike will closely monitor the ICC’s response to these challenges and its commitment to improvement in the years to come.

In a related development, the United States governing body for cricket, known as USAC, has been formally placed on notice and given 12 months to meet the ICC’s Associate Membership criteria. Reports indicate that the USAC needs to have a governance and administrative structure and adhere to the norms set by the USA Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). 

This recognition is essential for USAC’s participation in the upcoming Los Angeles Games in 2028, where cricket will be a featured medal event. Suppose USAC needs to align with the USOPC guidelines within the specified timeframe. In that case, the organizers may need to revoke its recognition and establish a new governing body for cricket in the United States.

The second reason is believed to be non-appointment of CEO, which is a must for any cricket board. “USA Cricket and Cricket Chile have been formally put on notice and have 12 months to rectify their current non-compliance with the ICC Membership Criteria,” the release stated.

“Neither Member is considered to have in place a fit for purpose detailed governance and administrative structure and systems.” 

“The Board agreed that a Normalisation Committee comprising of Board and Management representatives will be set up to oversee and monitor USA Cricket’s compliance roadmap and the ICC Board will reserve its right to suspend or expel the Member for continued non-compliance.” 

Cricketing Decisions

In order to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup, eight regional qualification spots have been legally accepted by the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC).  Under this new structure, two teams will qualify from Africa and Europe, one from the Americas, and three from a combined regional final representing Asia and the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) region.

In line with the ICC’s long-term strategic commitment to promoting equity in men’s and women’s cricket, the women’s T20 World Cup will expand from 12 to 16 teams starting in 2030. This noteworthy expansion is indicative of the ICC’s commitment to expanding women’s cricket’s global chances.

In order to provide certainty for participating nations as they prepare, the CEC has also established October 31, 2024, as the deadline for qualification for the 2026 women’s T20 World Cup qualifier for the tournament.

Furthermore, the CEC approved the appointment of Paul Reiffel as the Elite Panel representative on the Cricket Committee, reinforcing the panel’s commitment to maintaining high standards in the game.

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