Thaindian News

Dubai, Dec 1 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has initiated the process for a structured Future Tours Programme (FTP), incorporating Test and One-day International (ODI) leagues.

The ODI league will kick off in April soon after the World Cup in the subcontinent.

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting at the ICC headquarters here made significant progress in finalising the FTP Test and ODI league schedules.

“The process of drawing up rules, regulations and a points system for the leagues has begun,” ICC said in a statement.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “With the ODI league commencing immediately after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the ICC board will need to confirm the rules and regulations at its February meeting. There was noticeable excitement during the CEC meeting when we realised the interest which these leagues will create.”

The ODI league will begin in April and run through April 2014, leading to a league champion. The ODI league will also provide rankings and automatic qualifiers for the World Cup.

The CEC agreed to reconstitute its working group comprising David Collier (England and Wales Cricket Board), Nishantha Ranatunga (Sri Lanka Cricket), N. Srinivasan (Board of Control for Cricket in India), James Sutherland (Cricket Australia) and David Richardson (ICC General Manager - Cricket) to consider the rules, regulations and points system for the new Test and ODI leagues.

The working group, which previously made recommendations on the leagues and ICC global event calendar, will be bolstered by the presence of top statistician and ICC Cricket Committee member, David Kendix. The group will report back in January.

With the ICC board having already approved the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (CWC) in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, the CEC agreed to afford members the opportunity to use the DRS in bilateral One-day internationals prior to the World Cup.

“This will provide further opportunities for players, match officials and the technology suppliers to experience the use of the system. The long-term use of DRS in ODIs will, however, be considered by the ICC Cricket Committee at its meeting following the World Cup,” ICC said.

The CEC also received an update on the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) review.

“Although the ACSU is regarded as the world leader in its field of work, the ICC is keen to review all its procedures and structures to make improvements where possible,” Lorgat said.

“ICC has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and at this meeting it was reaffirmed that everyone must work together to protect the integrity of cricket.

“The CEOs were reminded of the need to implement a domestic anti-corruption code, which mirrors that of the ICC, by April 1. The ICC and its members will continue to be vigilant and work tirelessly to root out corruption.”