ICC acutely conscious to protect cricket’s heritage
April 14, 2006
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied the claims in the 2006 Wisden Almanac that it is putting money ahead of all other considerations.
Wisden Editor Matthew Engel wrote, “The ICC’s entrepreneurial role is damaging its regulatory one.”
But the ICC Media Manager Brian Murgatroyd said: “The ICC is a not-for-profit organisation. Any money we do make is ploughed back into development of game for our 96 members.”
Murgatroyd admitted the ICC had to be wary of letting money dominate its thinking. “There’s always a balance to be found between on one hand making sure we safeguard future of the game, whilst at same time ensuring we look after that future by maximising the revenue.”
“We’re acutely conscious of the need to protect heritage of the game, but we’ve to ensure any events we put on earn revenue, which we’re able to pass on to our members. That’s our rationale - to ensure health of the game worldwide,” Murgatroyd added.
Engel criticised increasing number of the ICC tournaments, reserving some harsh words for the ICC Champions Trophy. He called it “ugly-looking” and said it delighted only “TV channels with more airtime than content”. Murgatroyd responded: “We’re refining the Champions Trophy. It’s gone through a few facelifts and we feel we’re getting closer to an appropriate format.
“The profits the ICC makes from that tournament are going to be ploughed back into the game - it benefits cricket for that tournament to take place. It’s a very worthy event.”
The World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies next year, also drew criticism from Engel over involvement on non-Test playing nations.
Murgatroyd says likes of Kenya’s Steve Tikolo must be given a stage “Yes, it is an event which showcases very best in cricket, but at same time we have to be conscious of our role in developing the game as well. We’ve got associate teams taking part and in order to grow the game, it can’t be a closed shop.”
Engel claims, “In modern times cricket has only really spread within existing cricketing cultures.”
But Murgatroyd argues that further development is on the way and that patience is required, saying, “One example would be Uganda. We’ve got 25,000 youngsters involved in playing the game. You’ve to bear in mind development programme has only been in place since 1997. It will take time for these things to bear fruit.”
Murgatroyd also responded to criticism from Test Match Special statistician Bill Frindall of ICC’s Super Series between a World XI and Australia.
Frindall excluded Test and one-day games from international records in 2006 Playfair Cricket Annual, as they were not between national sides.
“We had the best players in the world assembled to take part in representative matches,” said Murgatroyd. “Obviously Bill’s entitled to his opinion, but we’ve taken view we did.”
Wisden Editor Matthew Engel wrote, “The ICC’s entrepreneurial role is damaging its regulatory one.”
But the ICC Media Manager Brian Murgatroyd said: “The ICC is a not-for-profit organisation. Any money we do make is ploughed back into development of game for our 96 members.”
Murgatroyd admitted the ICC had to be wary of letting money dominate its thinking. “There’s always a balance to be found between on one hand making sure we safeguard future of the game, whilst at same time ensuring we look after that future by maximising the revenue.”
“We’re acutely conscious of the need to protect heritage of the game, but we’ve to ensure any events we put on earn revenue, which we’re able to pass on to our members. That’s our rationale - to ensure health of the game worldwide,” Murgatroyd added.
Engel criticised increasing number of the ICC tournaments, reserving some harsh words for the ICC Champions Trophy. He called it “ugly-looking” and said it delighted only “TV channels with more airtime than content”. Murgatroyd responded: “We’re refining the Champions Trophy. It’s gone through a few facelifts and we feel we’re getting closer to an appropriate format.
“The profits the ICC makes from that tournament are going to be ploughed back into the game - it benefits cricket for that tournament to take place. It’s a very worthy event.”
The World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies next year, also drew criticism from Engel over involvement on non-Test playing nations.
Murgatroyd says likes of Kenya’s Steve Tikolo must be given a stage “Yes, it is an event which showcases very best in cricket, but at same time we have to be conscious of our role in developing the game as well. We’ve got associate teams taking part and in order to grow the game, it can’t be a closed shop.”
Engel claims, “In modern times cricket has only really spread within existing cricketing cultures.”
But Murgatroyd argues that further development is on the way and that patience is required, saying, “One example would be Uganda. We’ve got 25,000 youngsters involved in playing the game. You’ve to bear in mind development programme has only been in place since 1997. It will take time for these things to bear fruit.”
Murgatroyd also responded to criticism from Test Match Special statistician Bill Frindall of ICC’s Super Series between a World XI and Australia.
Frindall excluded Test and one-day games from international records in 2006 Playfair Cricket Annual, as they were not between national sides.
“We had the best players in the world assembled to take part in representative matches,” said Murgatroyd. “Obviously Bill’s entitled to his opinion, but we’ve taken view we did.”
