ICC to discuss radical Woolf report to bring greater transparency in cricket governance

Dubai, Apr 14(ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to consider sweeping reforms that could weaken the influence of Test-playing nations and bring greater transparency and accountability to the sport's governing body.

But India, the most powerful Test-playing nation, has already rejected the radical Woolf report, which is scheduled to be discussed during the ICC's executive board meeting starting from April 15.

India's opposition to the report raises doubts over whether any of the 65 recommendations will be approved.

"If India objects to the main recommendations of the Woolf review, then there is next to no chance of the recommendations being enacted. You are asking the powerful nations to cede their power. It just doesn't happen," the Daily Times quoted Wisden Cricketers' Almanack editor Lawrence Booth, as saying.

The report has garnered little response from the full members but some lesser recommendations could be approved.

The ICC board has already approved splitting of the various roles of the presidency.

Based on the Woolf recommendation, a new system would limit the presidency to an ambassadorial role, while a chairman would lead the board from 2014 onwards.

The 68-page report, which was commissioned by the ICC board, calls for overhauling the sport's governing body to ensure the ICC is no longer "a club" for the Test playing nations.

It suggests the ICC should be "positioned and empowered to promote, develop and act in the best interests of the international game as a whole" and calls for restructuring the ICC's executive board to make it independent and give a greater voice to associate and affiliate nations. (ANI)