WCC & ICC hold joint meeting in Dubai

Date released: 5 November 2009

Representatives of the ICC Cricket Committee and the MCC World Cricket Committee met in Dubai today for a workshop on the general landscape of cricket with specific reference to the place of Tests and One-Day Internationals in the broader context of the game.

Test cricket: 'must remain as the pinnacle of the sport' The delegates agreed that a meaningful context for Test cricket - such as some form of championship - would help raise interest in that format of the game.

They further agreed that Test cricket must remain as the pinnacle of the sport.

A number of possible enhancements for Test cricket were also discussed, including the idea of day-night Tests, rebranding the concept of Test cricket, making the playing regulations more flexible from series to series while also remaining mindful of the long tradition of the game.

The delegates also discussed the ODI format and how that needs to remain viable and popular.

ICC Cricket Committee Chairman, Clive Lloyd It was accepted that international cricket can and should sustain the three formats of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals in the long term but that ODIs must redevelop their own identity with the balance between bat and ball improved.

"It was a very productive and interesting meeting held in a good spirit of cooperation." said Clive Lloyd, the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.

"The MCC has some great cricketing minds on its committee, people with a huge amount to offer the game. And so do we at the ICC. It was fascinating to hear those views expressed in such a positive and engaging forum as this." said Mr Lloyd.

Tony Lewis: 'Workshop has produced some good ideas' MCC World Cricket Committee Chairman Tony Lewis said: "I want to thank the ICC for the invitation to meet in this way.

"Some of the many things we at the MCC have worked on over the past 12 months - such as a Test match championship, umpire referrals and research into pink balls - we were able to share and express our opinions.

"It has been an excellent, rewarding workshop that has produced some good ideas."

The observations of this joint-meeting will be presented to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee at its next meeting, which takes place in Dubai on 30 November and 1 October.

Present at the meeting were:

From the MCC World Cricket Committee:

Tony Lewis (chairman)
Geoffrey Boycott
Keith Bradshaw
Tony Dodemaide
Majid Khan
Shaun Pollock
Barry Richards
Michael Tissera
Courtney Walsh
From the ICC Cricket Committee:

Clive Lloyd (chairman)
Mickey Arthur
Warren Deutrom
David Kendix
Tim May
David Richardson
Ravi Shastri
Simon Taufel
Mark Taylor

Also in attendance were: ICC President David Morgan, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, MCC Assistant Secretary John Stephenson and Hugh Morris (England and Wales Cricket Board).