Manohar, who resigned from his post citing “personal reasons” in March, was coaxed to stay on until the board met in April to vote on a series of major reforms. As chairman he spearheaded a broad restructuring of the body aimed at curbing the dominance of cricket’s wealthiest nations — India, Australia and England — since being appointed ICC boss last year.
His efforts came to fruition last month when the ICC overwhelming endorsed a plan to more equitably share revenue among all members — a decision that cost India a large chunk of its funding. The restructure — described by Manohar as “another step forward for world cricket” — was agreed in principle in February by the majority of Test playing nations, including England and Australia, but was opposed by India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India stands to lose $277mn in revenue over the next eight years under the changes, with more flowing to minor Test nations and associate members like Ireland and Afghanistan. India resisted naming its Champions Trophy squad in protest, missing a key deadline and threatening to pull out of the tournament in England, but relented and named a side this week. The new financial plan and governance structure will be ratified at the ICC’s annual conference in June.
England deserve ‘favourites’ tag in Champions Trophy: Moeen
England’s formidable limited-overs squad fully deserve the ‘favourites’ tag going into next month’s Champions Trophy at home, all-rounder Moeen Ali has said.
England have undergone a major transformation in white-ball cricket since being unceremoniously dumped out of the 2015 World Cup during the group stage.
One-day captain Eoin Morgan has called the current squad the “most talented group” he has played with and England sense a golden opportunity to win their maiden global 50-overs title at the June 1-18 tournament.
“The team we have at the moment, we deserve that tag,” Moeen told the British media. “Playing at home is going to make a massive difference and hopefully we can win the trophy.”
England lost to India in the final when they hosted the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2013 and also finished runner-up to West Indies in the World Twenty20 in India last year.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen hoped the team would be third time lucky. “We have lost a couple of finals recently but over the last couple of years we have played very well in preparation for this trophy,” the 29-year-old said. “Hopefully if we get to the final we can overcome the final step and win it. We have gained experience from the T20 World Cup so it will definitely help us.”
Morgan’s side have switched to an attacking brand of cricket since the World Cup exit two years ago and currently boast of a slew of hard-hitting batsmen who are capable of destroying any bowling attack.
“The mindset of the players has changed,” Moeen said, lauding the impact of Morgan.”He wants us to play without fear and to hit the lights out.”
The hosts are grouped alongside 50-over world champions Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh in the tournament which features the top eight sides.
India’s Goswami becomes top women’s wicket-taker
India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami has become the highest wicket-taker in women’s one-day internationals after overtaking former Australia star Cathryn Fitzpatrick with her 181st dismissal.
Pace spearhead Goswami achieved the feat against hosts South Africa in the 50-over quadrangular tournament in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Goswami, who took three wickets in India’s victory, got past Fitzpatrick’s long-standing record in her 153rd ODI.
Fitzpatrick took 180 wickets in 109 matches between 1993 and 2006.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated the former captain for her incredible service to women’s cricket since making her debut as an 18-year-old in 2002. The Bengal cricketer led India in 25 ODIs from 2008-2011 and has represented the country in 10 Tests and 60 Twenty20 matches. She was named women’s cricketer of the year in 2007.
New Perth Stadium not ready for Ashes, test remains at WACA
The new Perth Stadium will not be finished in time for the third Ashes Test between Australia and England in December and the match will therefore be hosted at the traditional WACA ground, Cricket Australia confirmed yesterday.
Australia’s board had hoped the 60,000-seat venue in Burswood would be ready to host the Dec. 14-18 match but construction delays had ruled that out, CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said. The five-test Ashes starts in Brisbane on Nov. 23, with Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney also hosting matches. “We knew that everything needed to come together but it was still disappointing,” Sutherland told reporters. “We were really hoping that the test match could be played at this magnificent new stadium. Nonetheless, there’s lots to look forward to.”
Sutherland said he hoped Perth Stadium would be ready to host a one-day international between the teams scheduled for Jan. 28 but he all but ruled out any matches in the domestic Twenty20 “Big Bash” competition being played there before.
Playing the Test at the new stadium would have been a boost to CA’s finances as the WACA’s capacity is limited to 24,500 with temporary seating, but the home side are likely to welcome the chance to play the ‘Old Enemy’ at the ground by the Swan river one last time. England’s batsmen have traditionally struggled with the pace and bounce of the WACA pitch, and won only one Test at the venue in 1978 against an Australian team weakened by the World Series breakaway. December’s match is likely to be the last Ashes Test played at the WACA, which the local cricket board plans to turn into a boutique ground with a capacity of 10,000-15,000.
