FICA expresses wrath over ICC's system; calls for independent revi

Cape Town, May 15 (UNI) Expressing dissatisfaction over ICC's system of running the game, the Federation of International Cricketers (Fica) has called for an independent review of cricket's highest body's governance.

According to the World Cup 2007 Player Survey done by Fica, fifty-six per cent players have lost confidence in the ICC's ability to govern the game.

Fica chief executive Tim May was quoted by a South Afeican cricket website as saying, ''There has been a growing amount of dissatisfaction amongst a wide variety of cricket stakeholders over the past 24 months regarding the governance of our game.'' Calling for an independent review to ascertain the best and most applicable structure for the game's governance, May said, ''The Fica strongly believes that the present structure and composition of such committees is outdated and not in the best interests of the game, and an independent review will determine what is the best and most applicable structure for cricket's international governing body.'' ''It seems that much of the debate concerning the ICC's performance is being directed at the office administration in Dubai, including its chief executive, Malcolm Speed,'' he said.

''Fica believes the scrutiny is unfairly focused and would be better directed towards the decision making committees of the ICC - the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Committee, as it is these committees that are charged with the responsibility of making major decisions and providing policy and direction and not by the day to day management.'' These committees are responsible for taking decisions such as the length and format of ICC events, the number of teams to compete in these events, future tour programmes, the Darrel Hair issue, anti-doping issues, and Zimbabwe's status in international cricket etc.

UNI