#International Cricket Committee (ICC)

[beardedmrbean]

The future of the French international women’s cricket team is in doubt after 17 players called for an investigation into allegations that its governing body staged fake matches to secure funding from the International Cricket Council. With cricket set to become an Olympic sport after the 2024 Paris Games, FRANCE 24 looked at the reasons behind the team's collapse.

Tara Britton turned up to training, held every Thursday for the men’s and women’s French national cricket teams, last November 16 as scheduled. It wasn’t a big turnout for the women’s side, as she was one of only two who showed.

A day earlier, she had joined 16 of her national side teammates in signing an open letter calling for an official investigation into France Cricket following allegations published by FRANCE 24 in November, including that the governing body was staging fake women’s matches to access more funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“If the allegations are true, we condemn the actions as outrageous and, as players of the national Women’s team, we wish to strongly and firmly dissociate ourselves from the behaviour and actions of France Cricket,” the letter read.

France Cricket’s sporting director Saravana Durairaj arrived at the track in the 15th arrondissement (district) of Paris as they finished their session, Britton recounted.

Durairaj, who was recently made CEO of the association, had coached the women through the highs and lows of international tournaments since 2019. Their greatest success: promotion to Division One of the ICC 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, beating Sweden, Turkey, Jersey and Germany along the way.  

That was the pinnacle of French women’s cricket, which has now arrived at its nadir. 

“He told us, ‘You’re not welcome anymore’ – that we’re suspended,” said Britton, a wicket-keeper and right-handed batter who has played 29 matches for France. “He was visibly quite angry. He wouldn't let us say anything, wouldn’t let us explain our side. He was basically saying he was disappointed in us. He felt let down that – after all the time and effort he put into us – that we have treated him like this.”

It is against France Cricket rules for national team players to criticise the governing body publicly at risk of being “excluded from the French national team”, reads a code of conduct signed by players.

“We dared to say that we knew there were some problems within the federation,” said Lara Armas, a left-handed batter who, like Britton, debuted in 2021. “Can you really say that that is criticism? It’s factual.”

From 2019 to 2023, Armas was on France Cricket’s committee and was appointed head of their commission for the women’s game.

“We didn’t accuse anyone in particular. We didn’t name anyone, we simply asked for clarifications,” said Magali Marchello-Nizia, a right-arm bowler who made her debut in 2019.

The team made France Cricket aware they were going to publish the letter before they did so. “Some of us were even pressured by France Cricket not to publish anything. You could even qualify some of these as threats,” said Alix Brodin, a left-handed batter who debuted after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked what exactly was threatened, Armas recalled that Durairaj told one of the players, “If you do that, I can’t protect you anymore.”

Contacted by FRANCE 24, Durairaj said that a decision about the women’s team would be published in May. He did not respond to more detailed allegations.

‘No communication’

Without any further communication from their governing body, players were removed from WhatsApp groups involving them. On November 19, they found out – via social media – that they would no longer be participating in the inaugural Women’s European Cricket Championship, scheduled to begin less than a month later on December 17.

The organisers, the European Cricket Network (ECN), announced that a team from England would be replacing France at the tournament in Malaga involving the national sides of Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Austria.

“In a recent development, the French Cricket Federation, Association Française de Cricket, has unfortunately withdrawn their team’s participation,” read a press release. ECN declined to comment further.

“I’ve received no email, no communication from France Cricket explaining anything at all,” said Brodin.

Word spread in January that the women could only apply to be part of the national team this year if they apologised.

“We’ve done nothing wrong,” said Armas. “I’m not apologising for saying, ‘There’s an investigation going on, I want the truth’.”

To this day, the only written communication the women’s national team has received from France Cricket was an email sent on March 1 asking each of them to return their uniforms “for logistical reasons”.

Shut up and play cricket

FRANCE 24’s investigation last November raised questions over whether France was eligible to participate in ICC tournaments as it has done since 2021, given the difficulty of proving that the country has the requisite minimum of eight domestic women’s teams “competing in a minimum of five hard-ball matches for the previous two years”, as per ICC rules.

Players acknowledged having their suspicions.

“It’s always the same three or four clubs that provide women’s national team players,” said Brodin. “We know very well that what’s been written is true, we just never went looking for proof.”

Several said their decision to take part regardless came down to the lack of other opportunities to play cricket. Even for the women’s first division, for instance, only three match days were organised last season.

“The dilemma we’re faced with is absolutely unjust,” said all-rounder Poppy McGeown, who played 27 matches for France. “In France there are very few opportunities to play … either you shut your mouth and play cricket, or you decide to take a more ethical approach and speak up to condemn things that you find unfair or illegal, and that comes with being kicked out of the team.”

“You have to choose between the sport you love and the values you hold dear. So for two years I closed my eyes, and I’m not particularly proud of it,” she said.

Armas said she also turned a blind eye.

“I was egotistical,” she said. “I wanted to play, so yes, I did close my eyes on some things. I have to say thank you to all those girls who didn’t.”

More evidence of ‘ghost matches’ 

The women’s first- and second-division tournaments have disappeared from France Cricket’s plans for this year, replaced by a “France Women’s Cup” featuring 10 teams due to kick off this Saturday, April 13.

Out of the four first-division teams from last year, only Lille Cricket Club and Paris Université Club are slated to participate, with Nantes Cricket Club not renewing its affiliation with France Cricket in the wake of the scandal and Lisses Cricket Club planning to do the same for its women’s team.

The other eight clubs include seven from last year’s Division Two, which was the subject of November’s FRANCE 24 report.

Since its publication, more evidence of irregularities in this division has come to light.

On April 16, six Division Two matches were scheduled to take place on Chantilly cricket ground. All six were subsequently rubber-stamped as having taken place by France Cricket’s sporting commission.

Edward Hoyle, captain of Chantilly Cricket Club, said he arrived just before 2pm to renovate the wicket, only to be told a women’s match was about to start.

“That match did take place, but it was all over in 20 minutes. That’s 10 minutes an innings,” recalled Hoyle. “Whether that constitutes a match or not, I don’t know.”

Once the short match was over, Hoyle proceeded to strip and relay the wicket, a process that took several hours.

It is clear that the fourth, fifth and sixth matches did not happen at the time and place for which they were certified.

In its response to FRANCE 24’s November report on women’s ghost matches, France Cricket said “the results shown on its website are those communicated via the match reports handed in by the umpires at the end of each match”.

The chair of one of the clubs that was responsible for umpiring on April 16 denied his club was involved in matches that did not actually take place. He said he had delegated responsibility for the women’s team to the club captain and wasn’t aware of specific events that day.

When asked how his club planned to field a women's team this year, he acknowledged it would be a challenge. “We have women’s teams, but they’re students – you have to organise it during school holidays. It’s a bit difficult.”

France Cricket did not respond to a request for comment.

On November 16, Nantes Cricket Club sent a request to state prosecutors and police asking for an investigation into alleged fraudulent activity by the association.

In April 2022, the Versailles public prosecutor dismissed defamation charges brought by France Cricket against Hoyle, which he said were brought after he wrote a letter to clubs criticising the organisation.

“The ICC has investigated the allegations in relation to France Cricket and are satisfied that the issue is now closed,” a spokesperson for the sport's global administrator told Alison Mitchell of the BBC’s "Stumped" podcast. “Each Member is wholly responsible for the participation data that is submitted per the census and accuracy of these records remains of utmost importance and are audited by the ICC.”

From New Caledonia with cricketers

During a meeting with the France Cricket board while she was head of the women’s commission, Armas recalled pushing for a recognition of the reality on the ground. “Come on, among us we can admit it,” she said. “There are only four women’s teams in cricket. We know there are only four teams in Division One, and Division Two is fake.”

In response, she recalled, “I was almost insulted. Like, ‘How can you say this?’ I got shut down badly.”

She also remembered conversations with Durairaj in which he shared his conviction that the way to develop women’s cricket in France was not via domestic competitions, but “to have a strong national team”.

But now, France Cricket must assemble an entirely new one – notably ahead of another ECN tournament in December to which France has been invited, according to one source, but not confirmed by ECN.

The governing body emailed clubs on January 16 asking for candidates for both national teams, but none of the previous women’s squad who spoke to FRANCE 24 have put their names forward.

One avenue that France Cricket is exploring to bolster its women’s team lies far from the French mainland, in New Caledonia. A traditional form of cricket, played mostly by indigenous Kanak women, has been popular in the French overseas territory since the sport was introduced by English missionaries.

France Cricket chairman Prebagarane Balane visited the southwest Pacific islands in March, accompanied by Durairaj, where he signed an agreement with New Caledonia’s sports minister Mickaël Forrest and cricket committee head Jean-Marc Ihily. The deal obliges the committee to register all of its players with France Cricket by August 31, which could add some 3,000 to the 1,800 players that the association currently claims are on its books.

It also grants France Cricket the right to call up players in New Caledonia for the French national team, but not if they play the non-standard form of the game.

On March 30, at France Cricket’s annual general meeting at their office in Saint-Maurice near Paris, Balane was joined by Ihily in person to announce plans for a women’s tournament in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, this September. Balane stressed the importance of recruitment ahead of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India.

Marchello-Nizia said that two years ago, Durairaj told her about looking to New Caledonia for potential women’s national team players. “Things might have accelerated, given recent developments,” she said.

Death of a national team?

Asked if the current national team was dead, Britton was equivocal. “The team obviously doesn't stop with us. But as far as the players are concerned, I feel like we've been asked not to come back.”

McGeown lamented the state of French cricket. “When you have the honour and pride of playing for your country, no matter what the sport, it’s a huge motivator. And now we’ve lost it because we’re not ready to play as part of this system.”

[sportwizbynavneetoberoi]

BCCI’s Lollipop to the IOC - Turning Cricket into a Global Sport

Cricket, a sport with a staggering fan base of 2.5 billion people worldwide (According to Sport Pledge) is making significant strides towards Olympic inclusion. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been actively pushing for cricket's inclusion in the Olympic Games, with the ambition to debut at the LA28 Games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by Jay Shah, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor. The Sportwiz explores the journey of cricket towards becoming a global sport, driven by the aspirations of the ICC and the strategic efforts of the BCCI.

source - IOC

Cricket has been making notable appearances in various multi-sport events, such as the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and the upcoming 2023 edition in Hangzhou, Even this years African Games hosted in Ghana will consist of cricket where it will be played in the T20 format. These inclusions highlight the growing recognition and acceptance of cricket as a global sport.

source - ICC

The question arises: Does the Olympics need cricket, or does cricket need the Olympics? Cricket's immense popularity, with a fan base of 2.5 billion people and its status as the second most-watched sport globally, demonstrates the sport's strength and appeal. However, Olympic inclusion would provide an unparalleled platform for cricket to reach new audiences and further boost its global recognition.

source - business today

The ICC's bid for Olympic inclusion emphasized the massive viewership cricket attracts. The 2022 T20 World Cup garnered a staggering 1.2 billion unique viewers globally. Additionally, the 2020 Women's World Cup saw 89 million viewers tuning in, showcasing the increasing popularity of women's cricket. These statistics exemplify cricket's potential as a major draw for broadcasters, sponsors, and fans alike.

India's significance as a cricket powerhouse cannot be overlooked. The country accounts for a substantial portion of cricket's global viewership, with 76% of the 113.5 million viewing hours recorded during major tournaments coming from India. The BCCI, backed by India's massive cricket market, has offered the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a chance to tap into this unique viewership, potentially elevating the Olympic Games' viewership in the Indian subcontinent.

source - InsideSport.in

The BCCI's main revenue stream, broadcasting rights, presents a compelling proposition for the IOC. Currently held by JIO and Viacom 18 for $31 million, these rights contribute to the ongoing profits of the Olympics. If cricket is included in the Olympics, the ICC estimates potential revenue of $130-260 million. These figures highlight the financial gains that could be achieved through cricket's Olympic participation.

The number $31 million USD is larger than the previous years in terms of Olympics in India but if we compare it to a similar number showcasing the money that’s involved in cricket, in the next financial cycle of the BCCI the Pakistan Cricket board ( PCB ) who hold a share of 5.75% is approximately valued at $34.5 million USD.

PCB Chairperson Mr Najam Sethi

source - The Express Tribune

Cricket's economic value has witnessed a remarkable surge, as evidenced by the 300% increase in media rights value for ICC and IPL. The media rights for ICC and IPL soared from ₹16,347 crores to a staggering ₹48,390 crores. This exponential growth further solidifies cricket's position as a lucrative sporting asset.

source - Sportskeeda

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) now ranked as the second most valued sporting league globally, cricket's future looks promising. The IPL's substantial viewership of 380 million domestic TV viewers in the 2021 season and cumulative viewership of 383 billion minutes for the 2020 campaign across TV and digital platforms indicate cricket's enormous potential according to Jay Shah. As cricket continues to captivate audiences, its inclusion in the Olympics could propel the sport to new heights.

The bid to include cricket in the Olympics is anticipated to be decided in the final session of the IOC, scheduled to take place in Mumbai in October. Brisbane 2032 Olympics presents a realistic opportunity for cricket's inclusion, given Australia's cricketing heritage. Surprisingly, Los Angeles may also be a potential host, thanks to the approval of the bid by former Mayor Eric Garcetti, now the US Ambassador to India, fostering stronger relations between India and the USA.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah ( left ) with US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti ( right )

Source - @USAmbIndia/Twitter

Cricket's journey towards becoming a global sport is gaining momentum, with the ICC and BCCI leading the way. The sport's immense viewership, economic value, and potential for growth make it an attractive addition to the Olympic Games. As the IOC contemplates cricket's inclusion, the world awaits a decision that could redefine the sport and pave the way for a future where cricket becomes truly global.

By Navneet Oberoi

Sources -

ICC

The Economic Times

Espncricinfo

Sports Pro Media

The Guardian

Crictracker

Sawera Pasha

[starfriday]

Legendary Cricketer Sourav Ganguly Joins Blue Ocean Corporation’s Member of Board

August 12, 2024: Former India cricket captain and Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, Sourav Ganguly is now set to bring his leadership and strategic acumen to the boardroom of leading consulting and training organization, Blue Ocean Corporation. This significant addition comes as Blue Ocean continues to expand its influence across the UK, Middle East and India, further cementing its commitment to unlocking the vast potential within the supply chain industry.

With a stellar 26-year track record of excellence in supply chain management consulting and training, Blue Ocean Corporation has consistently led the way in industry innovations and professional development. The inclusion of the former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly marks a pivotal moment in the organization's journey.

“I am pleased to join the Blue Ocean Corporation Board, an organization that has consistently set the benchmark in supply chain training and consulting. The supply chain industry is a vital backbone of global business, and I look forward to contributing my insights as we work collectively towards achieving the company’s vision,” said Sourav Ganguly.

The news of Sourav Ganguly joining the company’s Board of Directors (as Non-Executive Director) was unveiled at Blue Ocean Corporation’s flagship event, the International Procurement and Supply Chain Conference (IPSC) 2024 in Mumbai, where he was the Chief Guest.

Welcoming the legendary cricketer on board, Dr. Sathya Menon, Group CEO of Blue Ocean Corporation, remarked "We are honored to welcome our beloved ‘Dada’ Sourav Ganguly to our Board of Directors (as Non-Executive Director). His exemplary leadership on and off the cricket field took India to unparalleled glory. We are confident that his vision and insights will add immense value to our growth and expansion, particularly as we navigate new challenges and opportunities in the global supply chain industry."

Blue Ocean Corporation, a conglomerate with global footprint in the UK, UAE, KSA, and India, stands at the forefront of supply chain consulting and training among others. The organization is set to begin its operations in France and Egypt soon.

“We are immensely proud to have an international icon like Sourav Ganguly join the Board at Blue Ocean Corporation. His strategic mindset aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and excellence. It will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to lead in the global supply chain sector,” added Jayesh George, Director – Corporate Relations, Blue Ocean Corporation, Honorary President of KCA and Ex. BCCI Joint Secretary.

The appointment of a leadership figure like Sourav Ganguly also reaffirmed the company's dedication to attracting top-tier talent and integrating diverse perspectives to achieve its strategic goals. Blue Ocean Corporation, a Great Place To Work certified organization, is resolutely committed to innovation and excellence. The organization was recently ranked as one of the "Best Workplaces for Millennials" by the Great Place To Work awarding body, underscoring its commitment to creating a positive and dynamic work environment that aligns with the ambitions of the millennial workforce.

Under Ganguly’s leadership, the company is well-positioned to navigate future challenges, driving transformative change and delivering exceptional value to stakeholders and clients.

[cstewart8]

Sport event bid analysis for a global sport

(Australia Are Preparing World Cup Bids for 2030/2034, n.d.)

There are multiple sporting events that go through a bid process these days such as Olympics, FIFA World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup T20 and 50 Over, Commonwealth Games, and other sporting events. There are so many factors when it comes to sport event bid because at times it can get complicated based on stadiums, budget, and other key factors. (Wilson et al., 2009) stated “The benefit of a major sporting event for your country and/or city will give a massive boost of tourism.” When it comes to major sporting events are positives and negatives of being a host nation and/or city but there are six impacts that should be considered before considering hosting a major sporting event they are financial, economic, social, cultural, environment, and infrastructure and if there are any concerns about any of these six impacts then it is probably for the best to not consider being in a bid process for the major event.

Human verification. (n.d.).

The best thing about a sport bid that is gets finalised 8- 12 years before the event will be hosted, so for example the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland was announced in 2020 giving the opportunity Sporting bids are complicated because there are multiple hurdles that a nation has to go through to even being considered into hosting the major sporting event. Each major sporting committee have minimum requirements for the hosting city to complete and also have requirements of the minimum capacity towards each game of the sporting event. (Hautbois et al., 2012), stated “Major sporting events focus on the ability of relationship marketing events to optimize between various stakeholder groups, and focusing on the tourism being a benefit.”

The First for a Sporting Bid is for the Government to be on the same side because if the Government are 50/50 on hosting a major sporting event, then it can cause an election and a massive debate between the country. The second key element towards the bid is the budget and understanding that the event will cost more than it was initial budgeted for. Walters, G. (2011). Stated “Political support is the number one essential especially in context of mega sport event.” In order to have a successful bid for the right to host a big sporting event then the hosting country or city will need to recruit a management team and create a strategy to see if hosting the event will help the country or city or if it hinders and what impact it has on the future.

(dirrtyfrank, 2018)

From the graph above you can see the last 5 summer Olympic games and the last 5 winter Olympic games and see what the government thought it would cost to host the games to how much they spent on the games. This is an amazing indication that if you are thinking of hosting a major sporting event understand that the cost will be higher than the initial budget.

References

Australia are preparing World Cup bids for 2030/2034. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5bKUFinVM&ab_channel=OptusSport

dirrtyfrank. (2018, February 26). Olympic Reboot. Nonobviousmarketing. https://nonobviousmarketingobservations.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/olympic-reboot/

Hautbois, C., Parent, M. M., & Séguin, B. (2012). How to win a bid for major sporting events? A stakeholder analysis of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games French bid. Sport Management Review, 15(3), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2012.01.002

Human verification. (n.d.). https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Bidding-for-major-sporting-events%3A-key-issues-and-Walters/9570d6d74e30a68c4c786a9d3540e48a4f2aefa1   ‌

Walters, G. (2011). Bidding for international sport events: how government supports and undermines national governing bodies of sport. Sport in Society, 14(2), 208–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2011.546520

Wilson, J. K., Lobmayr, B., & Pomfret, R. (2009). Bidding for Sport Mega-Events. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1566283

[sportsgr8]

ICC To Make Stop Clock Rule Permanent In ODIs And T20Is: Report

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to implement the stop clock rule permanently, following a successful trial period, making it a standard feature in international cricket, says a report. According to Cricbuzz, the rule which was initially introduced on an experimental basis in December 2023, has now been approved for implementation in all white-ball cricket, including Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), starting with the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. The stop clock rule aims to ensure the timely completion of matches by requiring the fielding team to commence the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. An electronic clock will be displayed between overs, with umpires responsible for enforcing the rule. Fielding teams will receive two warnings before facing a five-run penalty for subsequent violations. During the trial period, the ICC and its cricket committee evaluated the effectiveness of the rule and found merit in its permanent adoption. The decision to make the rule universal for all ICC white-ball games underscores the commitment to maintaining the pace and excitement of limited-overs cricket. The approval of the stop clock rule came during the ongoing series of meetings of the ICC in Dubai, setting the stage for its implementation in future tournaments. However, discussions regarding the Champions Trophy were notably absent from the agenda. With Pakistan designated as the host nation, speculation surrounds India's potential refusal to tour the country, reminiscent of last year's Asia Cup format alteration. Read the full article

[tsportsday]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday said it signed the hosting rights agreement of the 2025 Champions Trophy with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai.The agreement for the 2025 mega event was signed by Zaka Ashraf who heads the Cricket Management Committee running the PCB affairs at the moment.“Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf was joined by ICC General Counsel Jonathan Hall in the signing of the hosting rights to Pakistan at the ICC headquarters,” the PCB said in a statement.Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996 -- the ODI World Cup.PCB signs Champions Trophy hosting rights agreement with ICCDetails here⤵️https://t.co/s94ACBDzYd— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) December 15, 2023Pakistan was guaranteed to host the 2009 Champions Trophy and also matches of the 2011 World Cup at home but the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009 in Lahore led to both events being moved from the country due to security concerns.The biggest challenge surrounding Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy remains whether the Indian government would allow its team to travel to Pakistan for its matches.The PCB had to agree to a hybrid model of the Asia Cup in August-September and share matches with Sri Lanka after the BCCI said its team would not play in Pakistan due to security concerns.Pakistan did host the 2008 Asia Cup in entirety and that was the last time India played in Pakistan.The PCB said in a statement that it has already conveyed to the government to provide foolproof security to visiting international teams for the Champions Trophy.“The PCB in its capacity has already intimated the government to provide foolproof security to visiting international teams for the Champions Trophy,” the PCB statement added.“Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in a recent meeting with Chairman PCB Management Committee assured the security agencies’ cooperation in the successful hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.” Another logistical problem facing the PCB would be to get its existing international venues renovated and ready for the matches of the mega event.Presently, only Karachi, Lahore and Multan have stadiums capable of hosting Champions Trophy games.

[argus-news]

Scandal Unfolds: Rohan Jaitley, DDCA President, Faces Serious Allegations Amidst Factional Strife

In a shocking turn of events, Rohan Jaitley, the president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and son of the late Union Minister Arun Jaitley, finds himself ensnared in a web of serious allegations, including charges of sexual abuse and financial impropriety. The scandal, rocking the DDCA, has further exposed the deep divisions within the association.

The controversy erupted on February 22 when a woman, known to Jaitley, filed a complaint with top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In her detailed complaint, she accused the DDCA chief of exploiting his official position to solicit both sexual and financial favors. A second complaint has now surfaced, with a Mumbai-based model leveling grave allegations of sexual abuse against Jaitley. The latter complaint, submitted to the BCCI's POSH Committee (Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment) on July 19, adds another layer of complexity to the already turbulent situation.

Notably, neither of the complainants has taken the matter to the police thus far. Despite the gravity of the accusations, sources close to Jaitley dismiss them as falsehoods orchestrated by DDCA members who faced defeat in recent cricket body elections. According to these sources, the absence of legal action indicates the baselessness of the charges.

However, the allegations don't end there. Former Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh has sent a scathing email to Jaitley, accusing him of attempting to manipulate competition and favor a specific architectural firm for major contractual jobs within the DDCA, particularly those related to the World Cup matches scheduled to be held in Delhi this year.

The DDCA, already a bitterly divided entity, is witnessing a power struggle with celebrity cricketers and prominent politicians vying for control. As Delhi braces itself for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in October-November, the drama within the DDCA is expected to intensify.

In another political arena, the Pawar family and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are grappling with internal strife. The splinter group, led by Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel, is in talks with BJP leadership about potential collaboration. Despite the discussions, Ajit and Praful are reportedly attempting to convince Sharad Pawar to switch allegiance from Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Meetings between the breakaway leaders and Sharad Pawar have taken place, where they conveyed the BJP's offer, which includes induction into the Union Cabinet with a significant portfolio and a respectable share of seats in upcoming elections. However, post-split surveys indicate that the NCP's voter base remains largely loyal to the senior Pawar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have conceded to the demands of the NCP breakaway group but is yet to make a final offer to Sharad Pawar. The political game in Maharashtra continues as the state navigates the intricate dynamics leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

[daddynews247]

Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury has ruled him out. This Player is Selected To Replace Him In India

An ankle injury will keep India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya out of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

It was confirmed on Saturday by the International Cricket Council that India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the current Cricket World Cup 2023 because of an ankle ailment. When India played Bangladesh on October 19 at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Hardik twisted his ankle. In the matches that India played against Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand, he did not participate.

“India’s unbeaten start to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has received a massive hit with news that star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has failed to recover from his ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the tournament,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

As a replacement for Hardik, bowler Prasidh Krishna has been added to the team by the ICC Event Technical Committee.

“His place in India’s squad will be taken by Prasidh Krishna, with the inexperienced fast bowler parachuted into the playing group after being approved by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee on Saturday,” stated the International Cricket Council.

Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket and ETC Chair), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Hemang Amin (Acting CEO – BCCI), Gaurav Saxena (General Manager – Operations, BCCI), Russell Arnold, and Simon Doull (Independent Representatives) make up the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 302 runs earlier this week to go to the Cricket World Cup semifinals. India bowled Sri Lanka out for a meagre total of 55 after registering a massive total of 357/8.

With seven points from seven games, India leads the points standings. On Sunday, they play South Africa, who are ranked second.

India’s Updated Squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

[martin-james2121]

International Olympic Committee approves Cricket to be a part of 2028 Olympics

Cricket was a part of the 1900 Olympics held in Paris, with only two teams participating, one from Great Britain and the other from France, competing for the medals. Since then, despite its immense global popularity, Cricket has not been included in the Olympic programme.

Proposal to Include Cricket in the Olympics

The ICC has led the proposal and underwent an extensive two-year process for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games programme with LA28 also recommending its inclusion to the IOC for creating an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners, and the local community.

During the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai on Monday, the IOC officially approved the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games at LA28. The Olympic Games is estimated to have an audience of over three billion viewers through both television and digital platforms, providing cricket with a distinctive opportunity to connect with new and diverse audiences and further expand the sport’s reach across the globe, opening the door to an even broader fan base worldwide.

In addition to cricket, baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash were among the five additional sports recommended by the LA28 Organizing Committee for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

To Read More Click here...

[blogynewsz]

"Explosive Insights Unveiled: PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf Spills the Beans on India's 'Incidents' during Cricket World Cup 2023 – Exclusive Report!"

Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the cricket management committee at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has returned from India amidst speculation that the board is considering lodging a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding certain incidents that took place during their World Cup match against the hosts in Ahmedabad. A source within the PCB stated that Ashraf came back on…

[blogynews]

ICC Chief Overwhelmed and Grateful: Unveiling Cricket's Inclusion in LA Olympics 2028 – A Triumph Worth Celebrating

The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed their excitement and gratitude for the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2023 Olympics. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay acknowledged the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and referred to the confirmation as the “icing on the cake” during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Barclay, in a statement released by the ICC, stated, “We…

[blogynewz]

ICC Chief Overwhelmed and Grateful: Unveiling Cricket's Inclusion in LA Olympics 2028 – A Triumph Worth Celebrating

The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed their excitement and gratitude for the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2023 Olympics. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay acknowledged the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and referred to the confirmation as the “icing on the cake” during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Barclay, in a statement released by the ICC, stated, “We…

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] Cricket's more than 100-year Olympic exile moved closer to ending after the sport was approved for inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee's executive board. This picture shows a general view of the Narendra Modi Stadium during the 2023 ICC men's cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between England and New Zealand(AFP) IOC president Thomas Bach, speaking after Friday's second day of an executive board meeting in Mumbai, said officials had accepted a proposal by LA organisers for Twenty20 cricket to be included as one of five new sports together with baseball/softball, flag football (non-contact American football), squash and lacrosse. But the final choice of which sports are on the 2028 programme will be voted on Monday at the IOC session in Mumbai, one of the hotbeds of cricket, as India hosts the men's 50-over Cricket World Cup. "For the IOC, it is a great opportunity to engage with new athlete and fan communities," said Bach. "We see the growing popularity of T20 cricket and we look forward to welcoming the world's best players to the US in 2028," he added. Los Angeles chiefs have proposed a six-team event, in both men's and women's T20 cricket, with the United States set to field sides as the host nation. But no firm decision on the number of teams or how they are qualified will be taken unless and until cricket receives formal ratification on Monday. Cricket last featured at the 1900 Paris Olympics, when a team from Britain beat a side representing France. The sport has made moves towards a return to the Games for more than a decade, with the encouragement of the Olympic movement. Adding cricket to the Olympic programme is an obvious move, financially speaking. It would tap into the lucrative south Asian market, attracting fans in countries such as India and Pakistan. T20 cricket is the sport's shortest international format. The Indian Premier League, featuring cricket's global stars, has helped India become the unquestioned economic driving force of the sport, thanks to legions of fans and lucrative broadcasting deals in a nation where the game is almost a religion. Meanwhile, the status of boxing at the 2028 Games remains uncertain after the IOC stripped the International Boxing Association of its recognition following a dispute over how the sport is governed. Boxing has been part of every Olympics since 1920 and will feature in Paris next year. "We want boxing on the programme," said Bach. "We have no problem, with boxing or boxers -- we have a problem with the governing body." [ad_2] Source link

[daddyscore]

Former player of team India, Irfan Pathan, makes an explosive statement about Sanju Samson

The selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India has once again snubbed wicketkeeper and batsman Sanju Samson for the ODI series against Australia.

While reacting to the squad announcement of Team India for the three-match series, former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan issued an interesting statement about power-hitter Samson. Irfan tweeted, "If I’m in place of @IamSanjuSamson right now, I will be very disappointed."

Notably, two separate squads have been picked for the Australian series. In both of the squads, Samson’s name went missing as youngsters Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar were recalled for the first two One Day Internationals against Australia. Samson, who had a series of forgetful outings against the West Indies in the Caribbean, was earlier named as a backup batter in India’s Asia Cup squad.

However, he was snubbed from India’s squad for the ICC World Cup as the AjitAgarkar-led selection committee handpicked KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as the two wicketkeeper options for the Men in Blue at the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.

[entrepreneurstreet]

Dawn of New Sporting Era in United States of America -T-10 Cricket

In life, change is constant...

Excruciating slow and lengthy professional sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS) have witnessed concerted effort to reduce time to keep fans engaged. Making a better TV for viewers with more action attracts the next generation of fans. Athlete and fans are spoiled with choices. And, the appetite for engaging sport aside from football, basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer brings the newest world sensation back to America: CRICKET! Cricket once a popular sport in America, began waning in 1908. Starting around 1905, the number of matches dropped and clubs began to close. Last match was played in 1913. International apathy caused an irreversible decline. Haverford College played as late as 1925 at a high standard. Today, Haverford College continues to play cricket.

Cricket is often compared to baseball. It is also a bat and ball game played between two teams. The batting team has two players on the field and bowling team has eleven players on a field. At the center of field there is a 22-yard pitch. Each end has three stumps and between the stumps are two bails, combined called wickets. Six legal balls are bowled in an over. Overs determine length of the game. Bowler delivers from one end of a cricket pitch to the batting player.

Over the years Cricket has introduced various formats. The five day Test match exist to test skills, character, stamina and temperament with unlimited overs. One Day International (ODI) has single inning each and 50 overs that lasts 7 hours on average. Year 2003 ooze the game of cricket, indelible introduction of a twenty overs format, called T20, and it revolutionized the sport. This 3 hour match entered India in 2008, and birthed Indian Premier League (IPL) having eight franchise teams and later adding two more. Post 2023 season the IPL T20 league is valued at $15.4 Billion USD. It has attracted far more audiences in short duration than any other sport in history. Year 2022, data reported 2.5 billion worldwide fan following.

In 2017, a fourth form of cricket was officially introduced and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This 90 minute, Short and Sweet, T10 Cricket League also has a Masters League, the Indian Masters T10 (IMT10) and US Masters T10 (USMT10). Despite the Covid-19 pandemic this league has grew to whopping 341 million viewership in 2022,  2,561% increase. The league's economic impact is now being valued at USD $621.2 million. Cricket has witnessed fastest growth in comparison to any other sports and every formats has volume of followers. USMT10 league is for yesteryear‘s highly celebrated athletes.

Star studded squad brings renowned athletes, in which batters and bowlers use their mastered techniques that make this game exceptionally attractive for new and vetted fans. International Olympic Committee (IOC) intends to provision this short format cricket for Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics. The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by the United States and the West Indies in June 2024. It will be the first ICC World Cup tournament matches played in the United States.

National and international fans can catch this action-packed inaugural USMT10 matches kicking off on Friday, August 18, 2023, at the Broward County Cricket Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. This region of America is designated as the "Venice of America." The 2023 inaugural season will be played in a round-robin format with the best performing teams competing in a playoff and final round to decide a champion to be crowned on Sunday, August 27, 2023, starting at 11 AM EST.

Star-studded world wide cricket icons include - Aaron Finch, Abdul Rehman, Abhimanyu Mithun, Albie Morkel, Amila Aponso, Andries Gous, Angelo Perera, Anureet Singh, Ashley Nurse, Ben Dunk, Ben Laughlin, Bipul Sharma, Calvin Savage, Chamara Kapugedera, Chaturanga De Silva, Chris Barnwell, Chris Gayle, Cody Chetty, Corey Anderson, Craig Mcmillan, Dane Piedt, David Hussey, Denesh Ramdin, Devendra Bishoo, Dhammika Prasad, Dilshan Munaweera, Dwayne Smith, Elias Sunny, Fidel Edwards, Gautam Gambir, Grant Elliot, Hamilton Masakada, Hammad Azam, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Isuru Udana, Jacques Kallis, Jeevan Mendis, Jerome Taylor, Jesal Karia, Jesse Ryder, Johan Botha, Jonathan Carter, Junaid Siddique, Kamran Akmal, Kamrul Islam, Kevin O'Brien, Lendl Simmons, Liam Plunkett, Makhaya Ntini, Misbah Ul Haq, Mohammad Kaif, Mohammed Hafeez, Monty Panesar, Muhammad Irfan, Munaf Patel, Murali Vijay, Najaf Shah, Naman Ojha, Nasir Hossain, Neil Broom, Noor Ali Zadran, Nuwan Kulasekara, Parthiv Patel, Parvinder Awana, Paul Adams, Pawan Suyal, Peter Siddle, Phil Mustard, Praghyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, R P Singh, Rahul Sharma, Rajesh Bishnoi, Ricardo Powell, Robin Uthappa, Robin Uthappa, Ross Taylor, Rusty Theron, S. Sreesanth, Shahid Afridi, Siddharth Trivedi, Sohail Khna, Stuart Binny, Sudeep Tyagi, Suresh Raina, T M Dilshan, Thissara Perera, Tim Ambrose, Umaid Asif, Umar Gul, Upul Tharanga, Vikas Tokas, William Perkins, Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh.

TV Broadcasting and digital streaming details: US & Canada - Willow TV, Bangladesh - T Sports, Caribbean - Sports Max, India - Jio Cinema & Sports 18, Pakistan - PTV & GEO TV, YouTube TV.

California Knights owner's share their excitement to be part of USMT10. Janak Patel, many call him the founding father of Cricket in America, he has been involved with every level of cricket in USA. He brings his long business aptitude to the league and the team. Rohit Batta, a young entrepreneur who has skillfully grown various businesses. If he is involved, he will make it successful, and his foresight was enough to convince others to participate in the cricket franchise. Rajat Rocky Batta, in 2013 he won the ZeeTV's Dance India Dance. As a young adult used his inherited business skills that rippled from father Rajesh Batta to start a RRB Dance studio. He brings his entertainment accolades to make cricket exciting. Nimesh Desai, as a managing partner brings his executive management experience where he led large teams to help customers with emerging technologies. Developing strategic goals, overseeing the day-to-day operations, communicating with others regarding goals, providing leadership and guidance are his acquired traits. This makes our collective team complete and we are thrilled to be a part of USMT10. Our vision is to inspire athletes and take part in another canvas of cricket. Masters league makes opportunity for young athletes to watch and learn from those who have made a successful career from cricket. American athletes will find a future to play anywhere around the world in this universal game of cricket. United States, is simply the greatest sports country in the world, so success of cricket in America is not IF, it is simply WHEN.

 For More:

verticalbusinnessmedia@gmail.com

CONTACT +91-9354645130