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ICC Increases Pressure On USA Cricket Board Ahead Of Likely Suspension - Reports

Sakshi Sharma

USA Cricket (Source:@ragav_x,x.com)USA Cricket (Source:@ragav_x,x.com)

In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to take decisive action against the USAC as the organization nears the end of a 12-month governance notice period issued in July 2024. According to a report by the Times of India, multiple sources close to the matter have mentioned that ICC is actively considering suspending the USA Board. However, if critical leadership is reformed and implemented ahead of its Annual Conference in July, the ICC might consider its decision.

Governance Failures Prompt Oversight

The original governance notice was issued after the ICC found the USAC internal structure to be inadequate, along with a lack of transparency and operational inefficiencies. In response, a normalisation committee was formed to guide the USA back to stability. 

However, the ICC insiders indicate that progress over the past year has been minimal at best, with the normalisation committee’s efforts affected by ongoing resistance from certain board members and ineffective leadership.

An ICC official, speaking on condition, described the situation as 'unsustainable,' noting that repeated attempts to prompt reform have been met with delay tactics and unresolved disputes. “We’ve provided ample time and support. The lack of progress is no longer acceptable,” the source added.

Will ICC Suspend The USA Cricket Board?

It is also important to mention that, earlier this month, an ICC delegation travelled to Los Angeles for meetings with officials from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and members of the normalization committee. The meeting was part of an urgent effort to evaluate whether the U.S. board had made any tangible strides toward resolving its internal problems. 

According to attendees, the discussion made it clear that the ICC sees governance as non-negotiable, especially with cricket’s high-profile return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. “The credibility of the sport is at stake, and the current trajectory of USAC cannot continue,” said one person familiar with the discussions. 

It is also important to note that that no final decisions have been made and that USAC is awaiting more specific direction from the ICC. 

If ICC move forward with a suspension, the difficulties for USAC would be severe. The organization would be cut off from ICC funding, barred from participating in official global competitions, and unable to host sanctioned international matches. A suspension would also cast a shadow over cricket’s reintroduction to the Olympics in 2028, where the U.S. is expected to play important role as host nation.