So now the FICA has come out and openly called for a player boycott of the Champions Trophy because
Bevan said that the players are concerned with the decision-making process of the ICC, the game’s world body. "Our frustration is that we have 10 Test-playing countries voting politically on some issues such as who will succeed Sonn," Bevan said.O....kay.
"They take cricketing and commercial decisions that are often not linked with one another. A more independent administration is needed."
So who are contesting for the post of ICC President
Going head-to-head are two candidates who represent the two intractable extremes of the ICC's large and dysfunctional family - the ECB's David Morgan, representative of cricket's old world, and the BCCI president, Sharad Pawar - a busy career politician who has had time to attend just 80 minutes of ICC business in 12 months.O... kay.
And pray how are countries voting for President
Despite - or perhaps because of - the complicated voting procedure used to decide between the two back in March, the issue ended up being fudged and Sonn was asked to stay in office for an extra term. But it was quite clear how the land lay even then. In a 3-3 tied ballot, Morgan's support came from Bob Merriman (representing Australia and New Zealand), Stephen Camacho (West Indies and England) and John Blair (South Africa and Zimbabwe), while Pawar was backed by Dr AC Muttiah (India and Sri Lanka), Mueen Afzal (Bangladesh and Pakistan) and Imran Khwaja (associate and affiliate members).O.. kay.
So what are Sharad Pawar's credentials
With the Asian bloc unbreakable, all it would take for a Pawar victory would be a shifting of support of the African contingent, and then Pandora's Box really would be cracked open. For all his faults, Sonn remained a cricket-lover at heart, something that has not always been apparent at the fiscally obsessed BCCI. With Pawar installed at the head of the ICC, the way would be cleared for the takeover of the ICC that has long been threatened by the frustrated Indians, who represent 70% of the game's income and whose early exit from the World Cup conveniently distanced them from most - if not all - of the tournament's myriad failings.O..kay.
So that means that David Morgan is not commercially driven and has the best interests of the game at heart.
Or does he?
Ireland are prepared to risk being thrown out of next season's Friends Provident Trophy by playing ODIs against India and South Africa in June.O..kay..
or
There is increasing concern that Scotland might be thrown out of England's domestic one-day competition due to their staging "offshore" tournaments which, the ECB say, "could dilute moneys coming into the game".
So it is about the money.
So the FICA is right then?
Umm, the FICA consists of players from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.
And the Champions Trophy is going to be held in Pakistan.
And the World Cup is going to be co-hosted by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
And in the event that Pawar wins, England, Australia and New Zealand will not necessarily lean on their players in case of a FICA boycott, although Pakistan is not unduly worried.
And in case Morgan wins, how much control can he exercise over a Lalit Modi Gone Wild? If India schedules more bilateral tours while paying lip service to the FTP ( 2 tests 3 ODIs in England, 3 Tests 7 ODIs in Pakistan), what can the ICC do about it?
And the thing is, India can defy the ICC.. All it takes is for the cricket team to win a few games and all is forgiven by the fans. And the sponsors.
And here is the fun part - all along the talk was about cricket dividing along racial lines. Hardly!
Its all about the money and the power that one gets to wield as the President of a cash rich sports body.
So much for all the talk of the greater good of the game.
