After thorough review and multiple warnings, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended USA Cricket’s membership on Tuesday. In a statement the council said, “Thorough review of affairs and extensive engagement with key stakeholders over the past year”. The statement also blamed the USA cricket for continuously breaching obligations that a member has to follow.
Cricket returns to Olympics
This decision was taken at the time when cricket returned to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and ICC allowed USA to play and gear up for the big stage.
ICC said in a statement, “These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world.” The international body said that such an action was necessary for long term interests of the game, however the top priority at this time is to ensure that the suspension doesn’t affect the athletes and the sport.
Participation rights retained
Despite the suspension, the board has announced that the USA team will retain the right of participation in the event and continue the preparation for LA28.
The statement further described the functioning of the USA team; the statement reads that from henceforth ICC will oversee and support players in order to maintain momentum towards Olympic inclusion. “This approach reflects the ICC’s firm commitment to upholding the best interests of cricketers in the USA and the sustenance of a High-performance and Player development program which will seek to elevate the stature and capabilities of players representing the USA.”