ICC defers decision on rebel cricketers of 1980s

JOHANNESBURG: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday that it has deferred a decision whether or not to lift the ban on players who toured South Africa as part of rebel teams when that country was under apartheid rule.

At the end of the two-day meeting of its chief executive's committee (CEC) here on Monday and Tuesday, the ICC said that a decision on the issue was deferred following a request from the South African cricket board.

"Cricket South Africa (CSA) asked that this matter be deferred, pending its own internal discussions. This was agreed by the meeting," ICC said in a statement here.

Several rebel tours took place in 1980s, mainly by players from England and Sri Lanka. Some players were banned for life while others banned for 25 years from playing officially sanctioned cricket.

The other issues on the agenda were increasing the number of umpires in the Elite Panel and the volume of international cricket.

"CEC reviewed a draft international programme for the period 2012-2017. The meeting asked ICC management, which was responsible for the preparation of the programme, to refine it ahead of further discussion on the subject at the next CEC meeting," it said.

The next meeting will take place in Kuala Lumpur during the under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in February.

"Once complete, it is envisaged the draft programme will then be reviewed by the ICC Board, although possible implementation, if appropriate, may be delayed due to members' existing commercial arrangements."

The meeting reviewed a report compiled by an umpires' task force chaired by ICC president-elect David Morgan, which also included Geoff Allardice of Cricket Australia (CA), ICC manager (cricket) David Richards and ICC's chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

This followed a meeting of the task force in London Sep 6 and 7.

The main recommendation of the group was that the Elite Panel of Umpires should be increased from 10 to 12 officials.

The report of the task force will go forward for consideration by the ICC board at its next meeting in Dubai Oct 30 and 31.

The ICC Cricket Committee had given recommendation to form a task force in May. The purpose of the group is to enhance the already high standards of officiating.

It began its work by surveying umpires, players, member boards and the media on the current state and perceptions of umpiring ahead of its meeting in London.

The terms of reference for the group were:

* How best to structure the Emirates Elite and International panels
* The support structures for the panel
* Umpire remuneration levels and workloads
* Policies for the selection and appointment of umpires to panels and matches, including the issue of neutrality

Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and Sunil Gavaskar, who is chairman of the ICC's Cricket Committee represented India at the meeting.