ICC's AGM: Test's Future, Expanded T20 World Cup And USA Cricket Scrutiny
The International Cricket Council's series of meetings starts on Thursday in Singapore, the affluent city-state keen to re-emerge as a major cricket destination.
A new era has started at the governing body after the recent appointment of Sanjog Gupta as chief executive, as I first flagged in January, hot on the heels of Indian compatriot Jay Shah's ascension as ICC chair.
Here are some of the pressing issues expected to be thrashed out at the Annual General Meeting running until Sunday, although final decisions on big matters are usually left until the quarterly meeting later in the year.
Los Angeles Olympic Qualifying
As I reported earlier in the week, momentum is building for T20 qualification tournaments - not rankings - to determine which countries make the cut for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The six-team T20 men's and women's competitions will be played from July 12-29 in Pomona, 30 miles east of Los Angeles.
Allocation via the ICC's T20 rankings at a cut-off date had been deemed as the likely outcome, but it is learned that qualifiers - which would likely include top performing Associate nations - is being strongly considered amid several proposals.
A combination of rankings and qualifying tournaments, a template used in some other Olympic sports, is another option while the U.S. is likely to gain at least one automatic spot as the host nation.
Proponents of rankings argue that it is cost efficient and negates the logistical difficulties of organizing qualifiers amid cricket's increasingly cramped schedule. It is unknown the stances of cricket's power countries of India, Australia and England.
Test Cricket's Future
There is set to be an update on a working group tasked with addressing pressing issues over cricket's three formats, including a radical plan to split Test nations into two divisions.
Discussions over two divisions have so far been informal. Promotion and relegation along with how funds would be distributed loom as sticking points.
'If it's (the plan) on the promotion and relegation basis it will get some backing,' ICC board director and Zimbabwe chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani told me in April. 'If it doesn't have that then two divisions is useless. There's no point and no context. We would not support that.
'The funds from the top division need to be shared properly.'
As reported last month in The Telegraph, the World Test Championship final is expected to stay in England with the decision set to be ratified by the board.
ODI Super League/Expanded T20 World Cups
No decisions are expected, but discussions are likely over the future of several major white-ball tournaments.
There are a handful of boards pushing for the revival of the scrapped 13-team ODI Super League although a new qualification pathway has already been approved for the 14-team 2027 World Cup.
There appears no desire to expand the ODI World Cup, but momentum is building to increase the number of teams for the men's T20 World Cup. Twenty teams competed at last year's T20 World Cup and that number will remain the same for next year's edition after 16 teams had participated in the events from 2016-22.
But there is a desire for an expanded 24 teams, at the very least, for future T20 World Cups with the recent qualification of Italy - which generated global headlines - seen as further evidence that cricket's depth is increasing beyond traditional footholds.
T20 World Cup Inquiry
A report looking into whether there was a cost blowout for the U.S. leg of last year's T20 World Cup is believed to be completed. The board is expected to receive an update and may be given recommendations.
Deputy chair Imran Khwaja has helmed the inquiry, which includes an audit into the U.S. leg - which hosted 16 of the 55 matches in cricket's first major event in the world's biggest sports market.
There is a particular focus on New York's modular stadium in Long Island and whether there was a cost blowout on a ground that received criticism for its sluggish drop-in pitch with batting proving particularly difficult.
The ground, which hosted eight matches including the money-spinning India-Pakistan clash, was built in just a few months and pegged at $30 million - as I first reported last April.
The Nassau County International stadium was torn down the day after hosting its final match. There was a shake-up of senior positions at the ICC in the aftermath of the T20 World Cup.
CEC Election
Eight candidates will contest Thursday's Chief Executives' Committee election, with three coveted Associate Member spots up for grabs. Sumod Damodar (Botswana) is the only incumbent to recontest and is tipped to win back a spot on the influential CEC.
Former Hong Kong chief Tim Cutler (Vanuatu), ex USA cricket governing body administrator Sankar Renganathan (Sierra Leone) and Anuraag Bhatnagar (Hong Kong) have been touted as the other frontrunners.
Gurumurthy Palani (France), Stella Siale (Samoa), Gurdeep Klair (Canada) and Sarah Gomersall (Jersey) are also in the running.
USA Cricket On Brink Of Suspension
Embattled USA Cricket is facing suspension of its ICC membership, which would affect funding and playing opportunities.
The governing body was put 'on notice' at last year's AGM due to governance issues, with its funding controlled by the ICC. If deemed to still be non-compliant then it would be suspended and ultimately face expulsion as a member.
There is a lot of scrutiny over the state of American cricket with the Los Angeles Olympics just three years away and the U.S. being a target market for the ICC, which has raised eyebrows among some other Associate members.
Asia Cup Turmoil
While the Asia Cup is an Asian Cricket Council matter, discussions are set to be held on the sidelines over whether the September T20 tournament will go ahead amid a breakdown of relations between rivals India and Pakistan.
As I reported last month, the Asia Cup - a highly lucrative biennial event that essentially bankrolls regional body ACC - is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates if a cancellation can be avoided.
Calls For reviews Into Associate Member Voting/Scorecard
There are calls for reviews into the voting processes for Associate Members and the scorecard, which determines how much funding each country receives from the ICC.
There are a number of measures and assessments to fulfil on the ICC scorecard, but transparency concerns have prompted calls for a review.
New ICC Members
For the first time in several years, the ICC's membership is set to expand with Zambia to return as an Associate after it was suspended in 2019 and ultimately expelled due to 'continued non-compliance'.
East Timor is likely to receive membership for the first time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat in the second T20 on Tuesday. Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut. He replaces leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the team's only change after it lost the first match by seven wickets. Bangladesh made two changes with Naim Sheikh replacing opener Tanzid Hasan and paceman Shoriful Islam coming in for Taskin Ahmed. The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday. Line-ups: Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Litton Das (captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal. __ AP cricket:
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The backstory behind the best sports photo of the week
Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. 🚨 Headlines 🏀 CP3 returns to Clippers: Chris Paul has signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Clippers ahead of his 21st (and likely final) NBA season, returning to the franchise he called home from 2011-17. Is this the best Clippers teams he's ever been on? 🏈 Jerry takes jabs: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opened training camp by taking passive aggressive digs at Micah Parsons, Dak Prescott and other Dallas players. His comments, unsurprisingly, did not seem to go over very well. 🎾 Venus returns: Venus Williams teamed with Hailey Baptiste to win their doubles opener at the DC Open — her first time competing at a tournament in more than a year. "I just love this game," said Williams, 45, who hopes her sister Serena, 43, makes a comeback of her own. 🎓 AAC rebrands: The American Athletic Conference has changed its name to The American Conference, or simply The American, as part of a rebranding effort. The conference also announced its new mascot, "Soar," the eagle. 🏀 Liberty add Meesseman: Former Mystics star Emma Meesseman is joining the Liberty midseason as New York looks to defend its title. Meesseman is a three-time defending Euroleague MVP and earned WNBA Finals MVP honors back in 2019. 📸 Behind the lens When I came across this photo yesterday, I was immediately floored. But I could not, for the life of me, figure out what was happening in the frame. How was the image being reflected like that? To find out, I went straight to the source: the man behind the camera. His answer blew me away. Sean Gardner, Getty Images Stringer: Dover is a bit special to me — it was one of the first races I ever covered when I started shooting NASCAR for Getty Images 14 years ago. And even now, no matter how many times we return to a track, each weekend is a chance to see something new. The morning of the Xfinity Series race brought several rain showers, which led to the cancelation of Cup practice and qualifying. I'd already shot some rain features earlier and noticed some interesting reflections in another part of the track. So, the idea was already planted in my mind: time to look for something a little more dynamic. After I shot the race start and some pre-race frames, I went out exploring. I walked between Turns 3 and 4 and immediately noticed a large puddle. I wasn't sure if the image I had in my head was going to work, but as I walked closer, it all started to come together. So, there I was, lying flat on my belly in the middle of Turn 3, giggling a little — along with the safety crews, who were clearly entertained watching me commit to this puddle-shot adventure. I only stayed there for about two laps, but I got lucky — the cars bunched up perfectly during a restart, and I captured the frame I was hoping for. That was it. I stood up with a wet shirt, a soaked camera strap, and a grin. Then it was off to find the next unique moment. There's a good feeling that comes from making a frame that works — even if it's fleeting. So here's to today. And whatever comes tomorrow. ⚾️ Wild ending in Philly The Phillies held onto their slim lead atop the NL East with one of the wildest, strangest and most unique endings you'll ever see on Monday, beating the Red Sox on — of all things — a walk-off catcher's interference. A series of unfortunate events: The bottom of the 10th, as all extra innings do, started with a zombie runner on second base. From there, Boston did just about everything in its power to give this game away, and Philly gladly obliged. The first batter drew a four-pitch walk, putting men on first and second, followed by a wild pitch to the second batter, which moved each runner up. With first base open, the Sox opted for an intentional walk in hopes of setting up a double play. The third batter, 2B Edmundo Sosa, quickly got to two strikes, but when he checked his swing on the fifth pitch, his bat caught the tip of Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez's glove. Upon review, the umpires called it a catcher's interference, giving Sosa first base and bringing in the game-winning run. Rare occurrence: There have been 242,212 games in MLB history, and this was just the second to end on a walk-off catcher's interference. The first? Dodgers 5, Reds 4 on Aug. 1, 1971. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles… The rare feats on Monday weren't limited to the City of Brotherly Love. Shohei Ohtani, in his sixth pitching start of the season, became the first pitcher to both hit and allow a home run in the first inning of the same game since 1979. ⚽️ Le Azzurre: A nation on the rise Italy faces England today for a spot in the Women's Euro final — a monumental achievement for a team of women who only earned the right to turn pro in their own country three years ago. What they're saying: "It's a great joy to be among the top four in Europe," said captain Cristiana Girelli, who led Le Azzurre to their first semifinal since 1997. "Obviously we do this for our glory but there is a much deeper meaning … which is that in Italy, women can play soccer too." A long time coming: Italy's Serie A Femminile was founded in 1968, but remained amateur for decades even as their men's counterpart stood at times as the world's premier soccer league. Players earned as little as $67 per week, plus an $86 match bonus, and benefits like healthcare and pensions were a pipe dream. The turning point came in 2019, when Italy's surprise run to the Women's World Cup quarterfinals ignited a passionate fanbase that showed how popular women's soccer could be, driving calls for professionalization. It helped that at the same time, clubs like Juventus and AC Milan began investing more heavily in their women's teams. Just one year later, following a new law passed by the Italian Senate that removed the salary cap, the Italian soccer federation voted unanimously to grant professional status to Serie A Femminile beginning in 2022. The last word: "We've reached something amazing, something extraordinary, and however it goes, I really hope it continues to feed this passion, this love for us," said Girelli. "I really hope that with all my heart, because we struggled to get here." 📊 By the numbers ⚾️ 36 HR No player in MLB history has been traded in-season after reaching 35 home runs. Diamondbacks All-Star 3B Eugenio Suárez, who is now up to 36 after homering for the fifth time in three games on Monday, is a strong candidate to become the first as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. Go deeper: 6 players who could be on the move at the deadline 🏈 10.5 wins Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State (10.5 wins) have the highest college football season win totals at BetMGM. Alabama, Boise State, Clemson, Georgia, Liberty, Miami and Texas (9.5 wins) have the second-highest. 🎓 $200 million In the most lucrative membership proposal in college sports history, Memphis has made a $200 million offer to enter the Big 12, sources tell Yahoo Sports. For now, it does not have enough support but potentially sets a standard for all future expansion. 🥍 355 goals Boston Cannons attackman Marcus Holman tied Paul Rabil for second-most goals (355) in pro field lacrosse history on Saturday and now trails only John Grant Jr. (393) for most all-time. Holman's history-making goal came during the PLL game of the year: Denver 18, Boston 17. 📺 Watchlist: Tuesday, July 22 🚴 Tour de France, Stage 16 | 6:10am ET, Peacock Today's 107-mile ride starts in Montpelier before concluding with a punishing climb up Mont Ventoux. The "Giant of Provence" has an eerie, moonlike landscape and a unique reputation on the Tour: "The Ventoux is a god of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made," said French philosopher and cycling fan Roland Barthes. ⚽️ England vs. Italy | 3pm, Fox The first Women's Euro semifinal pits the defending champion Lionesses against Le Azzurre, who've reached the final four for the first time since 1997. More to watch: ⚽️ MLS: All-Star Skills Challenge (9pm, Apple/Prime) … Players will compete in six different skills challenges in Austin ahead of tomorrow's All-Star Game. ⚾️ MLB: Red Sox at Phillies (6:45pm, TBS) … Richard Fitts (1-3, 4.28 ERA) vs. Christopher Sanchez (8-2, 2.50 ERA). 🏀 WNBA: Fever at Liberty (8pm, ESPN); Dream at Aces (10pm, ESPN) … First day back from the All-Star break. Today's full slate → ⚾️ MLB trivia Rich Hill, 45, has been called up to start tonight's game for the Royals, which will be his MLB record-tying 14th team. Question: Who currently holds that record? Hint: He famously threw a 149-pitch, 8-walk no-hitter for Arizona in 2010. Answer at the bottom. ⛳️ The four-cut club Golf's major season has come and gone, and while it's clear who's had the best year, Scottie Scheffler isn't the only player to find wide-ranging success at the biggest events of 2025. Exclusive club: Just 16 golfers made the cut at all four majors, including the winners of all four. And while the top three (as ranked by cumulative score to par) are, appropriately, the world's top three golfers, there are a few names on this list that might surprise you. 🏆🏆 Scottie Scheffler: -32 🏆 Rory McIlroy: -11 Xander Schauffele: -10 Corey Conners: -8* Jon Rahm: -6 Harris English: -5 Matt Fitzpatrick: -1 Tyrrell Hatton: -1 🏆 J.J. Spaun: +1 Aaron Rai: +3 Viktor Hovland: +3 Maverick McNealy: +5 Sam Burns: +6 Daniel Berger: +7 Rasmus Hojgaard: +14 Brian Harman: +17 Looking ahead: There are just two events left in the PGA Tour's regular season before the three-leg FedEx Cup playoffs begin on Aug. 7 in Memphis. Then comes the Ryder Cup in late September at New York's iconic Bethpage Black. *Conners made the cut at the U.S. Open but withdrew after Round 3 with a wrist injury. Given how tough Oakmont was playing, his -8 cumulative score would have likely been at least a few strokes worse. Trivia answer: Edwin Jackson We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Depth, contracts and competition define Rams' biggest training camp questions on offense
Los Angeles enters a new year with high expectations on offense. Classes are back in session around the NFL this week. By July 23, every team will have fully reported for their 2025 training camp period. The Los Angeles Rams will open training camp on July 22 from Loyola Marymount University where both rookies and veterans will report simultaneously. Like any team, the Rams are facing questions on both sides of the ball heading into camp, with a new season approaching and plenty of work ahead in preparations for Week 1. In this case of burning questions, we'll focus on the offense, where the Rams ranked 15th overall in total offense a season ago, 10th in passing, 24th in rushing, and 20th in points. During the offseason, Los Angeles, added several new faces all around the unit, as the team looks to build upon its past two playoff campaigns with the hope of this year being the season in which all the pieces put together can help spark another title run by head coach Sean McVay and company. From star talent, position battles, to contracts, here is one burning question at each offensive position for the Rams ahead of the 2025 season. Quarterback: Can Matthew Stafford make one more run? Quarterback has not been an issue for the Rams as Matthew Stafford has been everything the organization could ask for since arriving in Southern California via trade in 2021, reliable, accurate, and clutch, helping lead the team to three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title during his first season. Now 37, Stafford enters his 17th NFL season (fifth in Los Angeles) after restructuring his contract, which will pay him $44 million in 2025, and the Rams are hoping father time doesn't catch up with their pro bowl signal caller. To support the veteran, the front office added notable talent, including three-time All-Pro wideout Davante Adams in free agency and re-signed veteran center Coleman Shelton, who previously snapped to Stafford from 2021 to 2023, on a two-year deal. Moves and commitment as such mean one thing: the Rams are all in with Stafford to keep the ship flowing. Running back: Will Kyren Williams get extended prior to the season opener? Having a reliable run game to back an aging quarterback is always a good idea. The Rams have had that for the past two seasons with Kyren Williams. The former 2022 fifth-round pick has rushed for 2,582 yards and 26 touchdowns and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over his first three seasons. Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, the question remains as to when the Rams will extend its All-Pro back. Head coach Sean McVay mentioned that the team is "getting closer to finding a conclusion" during the team's Maui camp in June on a new deal. Williams was present for the Rams in the Spring and will be ready for training camp. The Rams drafted Auburn's Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round of April's draft, who they hope can help make an impact behind Williams in his rookie season. Wide receiver: Who will win the WR4-6 spots? The Rams enter camp with a strong top trio at receiver in Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and Tutu Atwell. Adams, signed to a two-year, $44 million deal in March, replaces Cooper Kupp, now with the Seahawks. Nacua continues to emerge as a rising star, while Atwell returns on a one-year, $10 million extension and should benefit from the attention Adams and Nacua draw. Behind them, a wide-open competition awaits as Jordan Whittington, Drake Stoops, Xavier Smith, Britain Covey, and rookies Brennan Presley, Mario Williams, Konata Mumpfield, and Tru Edwards battle for depth roles. Tight end: Can Tyler Higbee still produce at a high level? Veteran tight end Tyler Higbee has long been a trusted safety valve in the Rams' offense, known for his yards after catch, dependable blocking, and strong chemistry with Matthew Stafford. Higbee was limited to just three games in 2024 due to a torn ACL suffered late the previous year, and recorded just eight receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. The silver lining is that Higbee looked like his pre-injury form in the playoffs, totaling 12 receptions for 112 yards and one score. Now, the longtime TE enters his 10th training camp fully healthy and looking to prove he still has plenty left at age 32, especially with free agency looming in 2026 and the Rams using its first pick (No. 46) on Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson, who could eventually succeed Higbee in the future. Offensive line: How will the Rams handle a potential Alaric Jackson absence? Throughout 2024, Alaric Jackson proved to be one of the Rams' most reliable linemen, allowing just three sacks and four hits while ranking in the top 25 in both run and pass blocking, per PFF. The Rams rewarded him with a three-year, $57.75 million extension in February, but his status for 2025 is uncertain due to recurring blood clots in his left leg. As a precaution, the team signed veteran tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year deal. While the former Pro Bowler brings valuable experience, injuries, including a torn ACL in 2023 with the Cardinals, and a hamstring issue last season, limited him to just two appearances with the Chiefs. Los Angeles could look to lean on Warren McClendon as well as fourth-year man A. J. Arcuri as depth. The upcoming preseason should help determine where things will stand at a position that is brutally important to its 37-year old signal caller. McVay said this past spring that Jackson is "doing well" and receiving treatment. Until then, the Rams can only wish for a speedy recovery for one of its big name players.
