International Cricket
The vision behind international cricket is to use the game as a means of promoting and inspiring individuals regardless of their age, gender, color, or background. It also serves as a bridge to bridge continents and countries together in their love of the sport. The International Cricket Council, known as ICC, was established in 1909. It was founded by the countries of Australia, England, and South Africa. Today the ICC has 96 countries as members.
The ICC was formed after a letter from the President of South Africa was sent to England in 1907. The letter requested the formalization of an imperial cricket board to establish set rules to be used in international games. Once these were established the ICC didn’t meet again until 1921. This time the meetings were to discuss the issue of eight-ball overs. The ICC met again five years later to discuss regulations. I was decided in 1926 that they would meet on a yearly basis. They did not meet during the years of the various wars.
At the 1966 ICC meeting the terminology for a throw was refined and added to the international rules and regulations. The 1971 meeting focused on scheduling a World Cup Series for cricket. It was in place by 1973 with the annual event beginning in 1975. That led to the 1978 meeting of the ICC being concerned with the controversy surrounding the World Cup Series game that year. There was more controversy in 1989 when the ICC voted to ban any cricket player who was linked to South Africa because South Africa was no longer a member of the ICC.
A new code of conduct for cricket players was approved by the ICC in 1991, promoting good sportsmanship both on and off the playing field. South Africa was also re-admitted to the ICC, lifting the ban on players linked to South Africa as well. Changes too place in 1993 with the location of the ICC meeting changing each year. Up to this point they had always taken place in England or Africa. The ICC felt this change would give all member countries fair representation.
The ICC agreed to make changes to the umpire decision process in 1995. They agreed to instant replay processing being used to challenge decisions. They added to this process in 1996 by authorizing instant replay to be a determining factor in the decision of a ball crossing the boundary line.
Today the ICC remains a driving force behind the game of cricket. It addresses major issues involving the sport and oversees the membership of all the countries who compete against one another in the game. The ICC strives to promote cricket as a global sport. They also work hard to prevent this sport from becoming too commercialized.
