ECB could gain enhanced ICC role

The England and Wales Cricket Board could be granted greater control in world cricket under a proposal set to be discussed by the International Cricket Council later this month.

An ICC committee has drafted a plan that would see the ECB, in conjunction with Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), become the three central figures for major decision-making both on and off the field.

A 21-page 'position paper' was sent out to ICC full members earlier this month and Press Association Sport understands it will be discussed at the ICC's executive board meeting on January 28-29.

The decision will be made solely by the ICC board, with further discussion to take place if required in its meetings in April, July and October.

Reports regarding the paper have only surfaced this weekend, with its wide remit of recommendations said to range from scrapping the future tours programme to remodelling how revenue is distributed amongst the ICC's members.

The key proposal, however, appears to be the formation of a four-man executive committee, on which the ECB, CA and BCCI would all be guaranteed a place. The other position would be selected by the three boards annually.

The powers of the proposed executive committee would supersede those of the ICC's executive board - a panel in which all the full-member nations sit to agree major decisions.

None of the other seven full member nations have yet publicly stated whether they would back or deny such a proposal, which would effectively reduce their power in the game.

They will get the chance to discuss it at this month's meeting, when other topics for debate such as the idea of a two-tier Test structure are on the agenda.

That system, which would involved promotion and relegation, could potentially allow the likes of associate countries such as Ireland the chance to play Test cricket.

Cricket Ireland has set a target date of 2020 to win approval to be included in Test ranks under the ICC's current specifications.

While associate nations may prosper from the chance to win promotion, part of the radical plan reportedly includes making England, Australia and India immune from relegation.

That would ensure the three most economically powerful nations would be guaranteed to play Test series against each other during each cycle - including the Ashes.