ICC to give players a greater say in game

The game's leading players have won a concession from the International Cricket Council in their drive for a greater say in how the game is run. Five of the 10 members of the influential Cricket Committee (Playing) will now be elected by the players.

However, the ICC's executive board rejected a proposal to allow the Federation of Cricketers' Associations to represent players in the decision-making process.

The representatives will be elected by the Test-playing captains rather than Fica, and they must have international playing experience. That would rule out Fica's joint chief executive, David Graveney. The Board has also agreed to review player contracts for future tournaments, including the 2003 World Cup.

Indian players came close to boycotting the recent Champions Trophy because they were unhappy about clauses in the contract which blocked personal endorsement deals, and only agreed to take part after the Board of Control for Cricket in India promised to compensate them for any loss of income. A special committee has been set up to look at the issue.

The ICC is also set to accept guidelines recommended by Test captains regarding the amount of cricket being played. These include a limit of 15 Tests and 30 one-day internationals per calendar year for each country, averaged out over a period of four years, and at least a six-week break every year.