NEW ZEALAND URGES THE ICC TO RESTRICT THE WORLD CUP 2015 TO THE TOP-TEN TEAMS

Co-hosts of the International Cricket Council World Cup 2015, New Zealand, have urged the ICC to continue with the decision of trimming the next World Cup to ten full-members, saying that this format becomes easy to organise for the hosts.

New Zealand Cricket Boss, Justin Vaughan said, “A 12-team competition would necessitate the introduction of a Super Sixes stage in between two pools of six and an elimination round.”

Vaughan said that the Super Six Stage creates problems due to the uncertainty of the teams playing, along with the venues. He added that it becomes exceedingly difficult to organise international visitors, as there is no assurance to which team will play where.

The ICC’s second thoughts of reconsidering the decision have raised many speculations. First, it is expected that the tournament will be expanded to a 14-team tournament like 2011, or it may be a 12-team competition.

On the other hand, there is also a possibility that the ICC may introduce a qualifying tournament between the two best performing associate nations, as well as two low performing full-members.

Vaughan also revealed that they are in the process of appointing a Chief Executive Officer for the 2015 edition of the World Cup, a move which cannot take place until they get the final list of the participant teams.

The ICC, two days after the World Cup 2011, had announced to restrict the next mega event to ten heavy weight teams only. Following this decision, the world’s cricket governing body had to face a serious reaction from the Associate nations.

Ireland, along with the 94 other associate and affiliate members decided to legally challenge the ICC’s decision. As a result of the reaction, the President of ICC Executive Board, Sharad Pawar, requested the governing body to reconsider their decision at their annual conference, to be held in the end of June.

The minnows, especially Ireland have now pinned high hopes from the annual conference. Ireland has been one of the most active team among the minnows, after the side enjoyed sizzling wins in their group stage matches in the World Cup.

The Irish put up a spirited performance in the tournament, after the team beat England in a huge upset. Chasing a big-target of 328 runs, Kevin O’ Brien hit the fastest century in the World Cup history, to lift his side to a massive win.

Vaughan added, "Look, I am sympathetic to Ireland, in particular, and the way they have performed at world events."

The New Zealand boss said that the ICC, while reviewing the decision should come up with a quick decision about the playing nations for the 2015 edition of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Australia.

In addition, co-host Australia have also supported the ICC’s first idea of excluding the minnows, from the next edition of the tournament.

Read More

New Zealand Cricket flags match-fixing incident to ICC

The Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Justin Vaughan, has said that they have informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) about a possible match-fixing. The alleged incident happened during an international tournament in which some players were treated to dinner by a suspicious businessman.
According to reports, Daryl Tuffey, Scott Styris and Nathan McCullum were seen with a man from Middle East, who was a famous diamond dealer and was also watched by the anti-corruption department. Some media sources have said that initially the players had no idea about that Middle-Eastern guy and his profession. They came to know about his business when he offered them some expensive gems and diamonds on discounted rates.
The New Zealand cricket team manager, Steve Wilkins, reported the incident to the New Zealand Cricket board and its Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan.
The Chief then discussed the incident with International Cricket Council and they told their ACSU to take proper action against the suspected players, who were seen along with the alleged businessman.
The players were interrogated by the ACSU of the ICC, which is headed by the former UK police officer, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. However, the players told them that they did not do anything illegal and were not under the suspicion of match-fixing at any point.
Match-fixing has been a serious issue in the cricketing world. Many examples can be seen who were allegedly involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing. The trio of Pakistan cricket team, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned by ICC for their involvement in spot-fixing during their 2010 England tour. They were banned from all types of cricket for at least five years.
According to the footage made by an English tabloid, a suspected book-maker, Mazhar Majeed, was seen taking GBP150,000 in cash in a meeting. Asif and Amir bowled no-balls precisely on the times when Majeed predicted. Such information is used by betting syndicates to place their bets.
After such incidents in the past, the ICC has made sure that no such offence should be entertained in any form of cricket in the world. The ACSU is also taking serious measures to stop such alleged incidents.

Read More