ICC commits to ongoing fight against Cricket Corruption

ICC Media Release October 18, 2000

The ongoing fight against corruption in world cricket was the dominant topic of discussion at the recently concluded series of ICC Executive Board and Cricket Committee-Management meetings held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The interim report of Lord Griffiths' Code of Conduct Commission on the Justice Qayyum Inquiry was considered in detail. The Board was encouraged by the conclusion in the report that the Pakistan Cricket Board "intends to pursue a policy of no tolerance to corruption."

Lord Griffiths has been asked, as a matter of urgency, to secure further confidential information from Pakistan before producing his final report. The seriousness of the allegations involved means that a comprehensive process must be completed before the final report is concluded.

Sir Paul Condon, head of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) gave a personal presentation to the Board on the establishment of the Unit and its roles and responsibilities.

"He counselled Directors that the fight against corruption would be a long and on-going one. All countries are resolute in their determination to rid the sport of any vestige of corruption. Each country has established, or will shortly do so, their own investigating process to deal with local issues and to provide co-ordination with the ACU," explained ICC Chief Executive David Richards.

All international players, umpires, referees, team officials, administrators, employees and curators/groundsmen will be requested to complete confidential Declarations before 30th November 2000. These will be issued by individual Boards and returned to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit for analysis.

The Code of Conduct Commission has reviewed the South African report on Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams and confirmed the penalties imposed. The Commission is waiting on a further report on the decision to ban Hansie Cronje from cricket for life.

At a meeting held during the ICC Knock Out competition last Friday (13th October) each of the participating captains fully supported the need to eradicate corruption in the sport.

Other major items of discussion at the Board meeting were:

International Tours Program
A ten year forward program of international fixtures will be introduced from 1st May 2001. This will allow Test countries to play each other on a home and away basis on a five year cycle, although some tours such as the Ashes series, will remain on a four year cycle. Full details will be released by 30th November once all countries have considered the proposed dates of tours to and by Bangladesh.

This move will allow countries to plan and market their international fixtures in a co-ordinated fashion. The next ICC Board meeting in Melbourne, Australia on 10th and 12th February 2001 will consider the formal introduction of a world Test Championship.

Advisory Panel on Illegal Deliveries
The Board approved the principles of a new three stage process for a player suspected of breaching Law 24.3. Further information will be released when the detailed process has been agreed by Cricket Committee-Management. The new system will become effective from 1st December 2000.

FICA
The Cricket Committee-Management meeting received a constructive presentation from FICA representatives Barry Richards, David Graveney and Tim May. FICA currently has five countries with established player associations or structures as its members. The Board has agreed to maintain an informal relationship with FICA as it seeks to become a truly representative international body.

ICC Chief Executive
A firm of global executive recruitment consultants are to be retained to help identify a successor to outgoing Chief Executive David Richards. Further details will be announced in mid November.

Media note: David Richards will be available for further media comment at the ICC offices in London from 10.30 am on Thursday 19th October (UK time). ICC President Malcolm Gray will arrive in Australia on Thursday 19th October.

Media contact:
Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: 020 7266 7913
E Mail: mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org

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