World
Inquiry Set To Be Launched Into Costs For U.S. Leg Of T20 Cricket World Cup
An inquiry is set to examine whether there was a cost blowout for the U.S. leg of June’s T20 World Cup.
It is learned that discussions took place at the International Cricket Council board’s informal meeting on Sunday in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Deputy chair Imran Khwaja – who retained his place on the board after the Associate Member Directors election -, Lawson Naidoo (South Africa) and Roger Twose (New Zealand) are set to helm the inquiry.
More formal discussions are set for the board meeting on Monday, which conclude the ICC’s Annual General Meeting.
An audit into the U.S. leg – which hosted 16 of the 55 matches in cricket’s first major event in the world’s biggest sports market – is expected with findings from the inquiry hoped to be ready for the board’s next meeting later in the year.
As I reported last week, the U.S. leg of the T20 World Cup has come under scrutiny. The sheen of a momentous event, with matches played in New York, Dallas and Lauderhill, wore off due to on-and-off the field issues.
There is a particular focus on the much-hyped modular stadium in Long Island and whether there was a cost blowout on a ground that received criticism for its sluggish drop-in pitch with batting proving particularly difficult.
The ground, which hosted eight matches including the money-spinning India-Pakistan clash on June 9, was built in just a few months and pegged at $30 million – as I first reported in April.
The Nassau County International stadium was torn down the day after hosting its final match, with discussions believed to be ongoing over third party use of the site.
With USA Cricket mired in internal woes, T20 Incorporated was the entity established in the U.S. to deliver the T20 World Cup and its handling of the event will likely be critiqued in the inquiry.
There will be an emphasis over a late cash injection of $20 million, as first reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Details have also come to light over logistical issues teams had in New York. At late notice, just ahead of the tournament, Ireland’s accommodation was shifted from Long Island to Brooklyn.
The round-trip journey from the ground to their hotel took up to four hours, while their hotel in Brooklyn was wedged between fire and police stations.
Players and staff had to endure blaring sirens through the night, while there was no room service or restaurant inside the hotel, forcing them to order Uber Eats.
Meanwhile, USA Cricket is likely to be put ‘on notice’ – as I first reported last week – at the board meeting on Monday. The ICC has deemed USA Cricket non-compliant of its Associate Membership criteria and also to “not have a fit-for purpose administrative structure”.
USA Cricket has endured a spate of resignations amid ongoing turmoil and is still yet to appoint a permanent chief executive after Dr. Noor Murad had his contract terminated just a few months into the role.
If USA Cricket is put ‘on notice’ and remains non-compliant after one year, it could then face suspension and ultimately expulsion as a member.
A working group might be formed to help the embattled governing body with its issues.