ICC to convene its annual conference in Colombo in the month of July

The annual conference of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to take place in Colombo, with exact dates yet to be finalized but likely to fall in the third week of July.

Given its timing immediately following the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled for June in the US and West Indies, the significance of this conference is apparent.

It’s expected that ICC officials will evaluate the World Cup events in both regions, with particular attention to the US, which has posed challenges for global cricket administrators.

A pivotal decision regarding USA Cricket is anticipated during the conference.

Additionally, discussions may revolve around potential changes to the chairman’s term.

As previously reported by Cricpulse, there’s a proposal to extend the chairman’s tenure to three years from the current two years, while limiting the number of permissible terms to two.

However, more crucial than the tenure adjustment, clarity may emerge regarding the next chairman.

Speculation suggests Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as a potential candidate.

Although sources within the BCCI haven’t dismissed the possibility of Shah’s candidacy, Shah himself has remained tight-lipped, keeping everyone guessing.

The incumbent chairman is Greg Barclay of New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the ICC is progressing with the construction of the “cutting-edge modular Nassau County International Cricket Stadium,” slated to host eight T20 World Cup matches, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash on June 9.

Situated 30 miles east of Manhattan in Eisenhower Park, the stadium boasts a capacity of up to 34,000 spectators.

The ICC’s innovative approach includes utilizing a drop-in square, commonly employed in venues worldwide such as Adelaide Oval in Australia and Eden Park in New Zealand.

Currently, the pitch is being prepared in Florida under the supervision of Damien Hough from Adelaide Oval and is scheduled for transportation to New York in early May.

Additionally, Florida and Dallas, the other two US venues, boast their own turf wickets.