It started with the representatives of three cricket-playing countries, MCC (representing England), Australia, and South Africa. Now there are nine full member countries playing test cricket, 25 associate members, and 18 affiliate members. Countries have to meet certain criteria to upgrade their status.
Bangladesh is the latest country seeking test status and has to convince the ICC it has adequate infrastructure and resources and is playing the game satisfactorily at first-class level.
Until 1993, MCC provided a secretariat at the Lord's cricket ground in London. However, with the growth over the last 20 years, the countries decided it was time for the ICC to take responsibility for its own management.
David Richards, previously chief executive of the Australian Cricket Board, was appointed the first chief executive of the ICC on July 1, 1993. The headquarters of ICC remained at Lord's and new offices were established at the Clock Tower behind the Compton Stand.
The ICC became an incorporated body in August 1997, resulting in a restructuring of the council and the decision-making process. The ICC executive board meets as required, but usually twice a year.
Who is on the ICC?
ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya, of India, has brought his business acumen to bear as he seeks to make the international body a stronger commercial organisation from which he feels the sport will flourish.
Dalmiya, president since mid-1997, has successfully transferred his expertise as treasurer and secretary of the Indian board of control to the international arena.
Dalmiya was instrumental in the promotion of the recent mini World Cup event in Dhaka, which generated considerable income in television rights and is likely to be played biennially in conjunction with the World Cup.
One of his greatest achievements was arranging a tour of India by South Africa in little more than a week after its return to the international arena in 1992, making him highly respected in his country.
The death of Dalmiya's mother means he has been forced to miss the ICC meeting in Christchurch.
The ICC delegates are:
Jagmohan Dalmiya, India ICC president (absent); David Richards, Australia ICC chief executive; Sir John Anderson, New Zealand chairman NZC; Lord Ian MacLaurin, England chairman ECB; Denis Rogers, Australia chairman ACB; Raymond White, South Africa chairman UCBSA; Khalid Mahmood, Pakistan chairman PCB; Patrick Rousseau, West Indies chairman WICB; Peter Chingoka, Zimbabwe chairman ZCB; Thalanga Sumathipala, Sri Lanka chairman BCCSL; Raj Singh Dungapur, India chairman BCCI; Joseph Buzaglo, Gibraltar ICC associate; Saber Chowdhury, Bangladesh ICC associate; HRH Tunku, Malaysia ICC associate; Dr Ali Bacher, South Africa chairman ICC development committee; Ehsan Mani, Pakistan chairman ICC finance committee; Sir Clyde Walcott, West Indies chairman ICC cricket committee.
The chief executive of the ACB, Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the Sri Lankan board Dammika Ranatunga, ICC general manager Roger Hill, and NZC chief executive Christopher Doig will attend the meeting as non-voting observers.
What else is on the agenda?
While the betting issue will create by far the most interest at the meeting, the concept of a world test match championship, which New Zealand Cricket chief executive Chris Doig has been refining for the last two years, is the other significant topic for discussion.
Doig said it was unlikely there would be any final decision on the issue, which is designed to give test cricket greater credibility by pitting all nine test-playing nations in a home and away series over a four-year period.
``I'm sure the matter will be discussed, but may require further talks. However, it is up to the chief executives of the countries to make it work and there is a groundswell of support for that.'' Doig said ideally he would like to see approval gained for the world test championship at the next full ICC meeting in June.
Doig denied any suggestion that traditional series such as the Ashes (between Australia and England) and the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy (between Australia and the West Indies) would be reduced from five-test series to three to accommodate a full rotation among the countries. However, the huge amount of one-day cricket being played will probably be affected.
A minor issue is the status of Hong Kong players. With Hong Kong having now been returned to China, that country has no official ICC status. Most of its players are expatriates who want to continue, so the ICC may make an exemption to allow them to do so.