The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the use of neutral venues for countries who are unable to host test series during the current global unrest.
New Zealand pulled out of a tour of Pakistan scheduled for this month after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
England’s tour of India this year is also in doubt after the attacks and the subsequent U.S.-led bombings of Afghanistan.
``Cricket in some countries, most notably Pakistan, is in the front line of world events,‘’ said ICC president Malcolm Gray at the conclusion of an executive board meeting on Friday.
``We need to adopt creative solutions to support those affected and to overcome those problems. In agreeing to use independent venues, the board was totally supportive that every effort should be made to assist them.‘’
If a match or series cannot be played at a home venue, it may now be resheduled to the opposing team’s country or to a neutral venue.
Countries who refuse to fulfil their tour obligations will be fined up to $2 million which will be paid to the affected country. The two test championship points for a winning series will be awarded to the home country while the side refusing to tour will be deducted two points.
PENALTIES
Countries would be exempt from penalties if fixtures were cancelled due to natural disaster, war or where the safety of players and officials was proven to be at risk,'' an ICC statement said. The new system will be enforced by binding contract, signed by all member countries.‘’
Gray said the decision reflected the priority given to protecting the test calendar.
``We have to be tough in protecting the integrity of the future tours programme from wilful disruption, hence the introduction of these severe financial and points deduction penalties,‘’ he said.
The ICC also agreed to strengthen the power of match referees.
``Improving on-field discipline is a major priority and the new system will add greatly to the authority and consistency of decision making that we will ask of match referees,‘’ said chief executive officer Malcolm Speed.
A one-day international championship similar to the test championship introduced this year was agreed in principle and prize money set for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
The winner will receive approximately $2.2 million from a total prize fund of $5 million. The tournament will feature 54 matches spread over 15 locations, 12 in South Africa, two in Zimbabwe and one in Kenya.
A progress report was given for each of the 24 recommendations in Paul Condon’s Anti-Corruption Unit report and several extra recommendations were approved.
These included creating ethics committees in national teams and drafting sports corruption legislation for presentation to the governments of all full member countries for consideration as part of each country’s legislation.
A three-man delegation will visit Kenya shortly to review the African nation’s application for test match status.