The clock is ticking! ‘Big Three’ are waiting! And Sri Lanka is getting uneasy!
The Sri Lankan authorities were still undecided yesterday whether to raise their hands in support when the proposal to hand over the lion’s share of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) administration and finances to the ‘Big Three’ – India, England and Australia – will be taken up in the next ICC meeting on February 8.
The ‘Big Three’ are looking to ‘usurp’ power in the world cricket governing body in a major overhaul and they need just a single vote to accomplish their mission. Only the cricket boards of South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are standing on their way.
“The Cricket Executive Committee (SLC Exco) met on Friday, and took the proposals for discussion. Again the committee will be meeting on Monday (tomorrow). But we haven’t decided on anything yet,” said Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
“From the look of it the proposals will give those three countries a monopoly in the ICC. We don’t see it as a healthy situation. But we just can’t decide here. We need to be patient. We need to study these proposals thoroughly before deciding on anything.”
However, for both Aluthgamage and the cricket officials one thing is clear – Sri Lanka just can’t antagonize India, the superpowers of world cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket very much depends on bilateral series with India to fill its coffers that surprisingly went empty even after the country staged two World Cups in the last three years.
Aluthgamage said the SLC is perturbed by the fact that the new proposals do not guarantee a FTP (Future Tour Programme) which ensures home and away bilateral ties between ICC’s Full Members.
“However, as I said before, this is very delicate subject. As a cricketing nation we have come a long way. It’s not cricket officials agreeing or not agreeing to certain proposals. The game here has a huge following, so we need to be answerable to all these people. One big mistake…out future will be bleak. As a country we are taking these proposals very seriously. And we need to act looking at the whole picture,” Aluthgamage said.
One thing is clear though – Aluthgamage and SLC officials will need to have a lot of grit to say NO to India.
