Time for ICC to take a decision

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) are today expected to decide on the fate of the recently postponed Champions Trophy and also announce plans to ensure that Test cricket remains at the pinnacle of the sport.

The ICC Chief Executive Committee meeting, which began in Dubai yesterday and will conclude today, is also faced with the difficult prospect of avoiding a financial fallout.

It is understood that the ICC may lose over $60 million (about Dh219 million) if the Champions Trophy is not staged by next October as per the contract between them and television broadcaster ESPN Star Sports.

"The ICC board meeting is on and it will consider views of the Chief Executive Committee today and seek to chart a course towards successfully staging of the event in 2009," James Fitzgerland the ICC Communication Manger said yesterday.

ICC President David Morgan, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, and ICC Cricket Committee Chairman Clive Lloyd are attending the Dubai meeting along with the chief executives of the ten Test playing members.

The Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 12 to 28, was postponed to October next year because of security concerns raised by several participating countries.

Australia, one of the nations that had expressed concerns about playing in Pakistan, is not happy with the timing of this tournament next year. As per the next year's schedule Australia is to play India during October.

Schedule woes

Morever, India, Australia and South Africa Cricket Boards have announced that the 2009 Champions League will be played from September 25 to October making it difficult to find dates for the Champions Trophy.

The Chief Executive Committee meeting is also expected to study a report on the trial of the Umpire Decision review system, which took place during the Sri Lanka-India Tests in Sri Lanka, and announce whether to continue with this system in the future.

Discussions are also being held on the Future Tour Programmes.

Board talk: What's on the agenda

• The Champions Trophy was scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 12 to 28. The new dates are likely to be announced subject to the discussion with other countries on their availability.
• The Umpires Decision Review System may come into play as a regular event. Players like Muralitharan have said that this system has put umpires under less pressure.
• "I am all for it. It is not because most of the decisions went our way but may obvious mistakes were rectified during the series, remarked Mahela Jayawardene, captain of the Sri Lankan team.
• Umpires Decision Review System is nothing but an extension of an appeal. It doesn't undermine their roles. The skill as umpires is still paramount. They have to make the decision after consulting the TV umpire Dave Richarson. General Manager International Cricket Council.