It’s still not adding up

The story of the ICC Position Paper, and New Zealand Cricket’s reaction to it just will not go away.  As reported today, Snedden and White are heading to Dubai with five key guidelines from the NZC board, all of which challenge the ICC’s proposal.

When you think about it, at face value, this would appear to be a monumental ask.

1. A workable governance system at the ICC – As proposed, it’s not so much workable as totally dysfunctional

2. Ratification of the existing FTP schedule through to 2020, with the hope of extending it to 2023 – One of the central planks of the proposal is the rejection of the FTP.  There are pages of the document on that.

3. Confirmation of the current ICC events schedule (World Cups and World T20) through to 2023 – The Position Paper is a bit vague on this, so that particular issue may not be a problem.

4. A firm commitment from India to the FTP and ICC events schedule – The BCCI refuse to make any such a commitment, let alone a “firm” one…

5. An ICC revenue sharing model “that guarantees strong growth of NZC’s revenue for the 2016-23 period”. – .  As proposed, there can be no guarantees while the triumvirate are able change their minds when it suits.  The Paper clearly states they are not bound to anything.

There may be other arrangements in place that are outside of this but, while the DobuleSpeak continues, that is only conjecture.

One notable omission from all comments coming out of NZC, which is also absent from press releases coming from the various Big 3 boards, is any mention of the good of the global game …

Perhaps if just one of these boards (South Africa excepted) started talking about more than venal self-interest we might have more faith in things.