US cricket in leadership tussle

The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) will not be represented at the upcoming ICC meetings at Lord’s as a result of the unsettled governance argument which has plagued US cricket since March.

The two parties – Gladstone Dainty’s official board and the Council of Cricket League Presidents (CLP) – have both claimed control. Malcom Speed, the chief executive of the ICC, made his thoughts clear in an official letter:

“As a result of several of the matters that have been raised in recent correspondence, the ICC is unable to come to a clear view as to which party should be recognised as the legitimate governor of USACA,” wrote Speed. “Regrettably, despite having had three months in which to resolve these matters, you seem to be no closer to doing so.

“The result of this is that, at this stage, ICC does not intend to recognise any of the current competing parties as being in undisputed control of USACA. Further, at this stage, ICC does not intend to recognise any of the current parties as being the legitimate governor of USACA.

“In the circumstances, unless the matter can be resolved by mutual agreement in the meantime, we do not intend to recognise any party for the forthcoming ICC meetings.”

Speed also stressed the possible financial repercussions of the power struggle, “It follows that funding to USACA will continue to be withheld… If USA qualifies for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, USACA will be entitled to funding to prepare for that event. We will need to be able to put in place a system to ensure that cricketers in the USA are not disadvantaged as we move through the next six to 12 month period.”

A resolution to the dispute doesn’t seem to be on the way, meaning the USACA could miss out on the opportunity to be represented at the ICC Associates Meeting on 26 June and the ICC Annual Conference on 28 June. However, the dispute is not likely to affect the USA’s involvement in the ICC Trophy in Ireland starting on July 1.