Former BCCI chief N Srinivasan was on Thursday named as the ICC`s first chairman after constitutional changes to the governing body were passed at the annual conference in Melbourne.
Srinivasan, whose elevation was confirmed after the 52-member Full Council approved the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, will officially take charge on July 1.
Reacting to his new role, Srinivasan said it was an honour to become ICC Chairman and promised that the ICC will continue to play a leading role in the promotion and development of cricket globally.
“It is an honour to be confirmed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council,” said Mr Srinivasan, adding: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to strengthen the pillars and foundations of our sport, both on and off the field. I want to ensure that cricket retains and grows its popularity, and that the ICC plays a leading role in this global growth.
“I want to see more strong teams in international cricket. For this to be achieved, we all need to work hard to develop local talent in our countries. Naturally, there will be more support to those who first show they can help themselves.
“The ICC is a Members’ organisation and the pathway is now there for any Member to play Test cricket or in the major ICC events if it performs well enough over a sustained period of time.”
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Srinivasan would stand as chairman of the ICC despite being suspended by the country`s Supreme Court as the country`s cricket chief.
According to Sport24, the 69-year-old industrialist is seen as the most powerful man in world cricket and he was among 13 people named in a damning report on alleged corruption in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Despite the IPL Twenty20 competition being embroiled in allegations of illegal betting and spot-fixing, including Srinivasan`s son-in-law, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel had earlier confirmed that Srinivasan would go to Melbourne and was expected to be anointed ICC chairman.
Patel said that by the month end, India would take a leading role in the ICC as Srinivasan is going to attend the annual conference, which is set to address the growing concerns about corruption in the sport.
