DUBAI: New Zealand cricket (NZC) head Greg barclay has been chosen as the ICCnew independent president after he comfortably defeated Imran Khwaja of Singapore to succeed India Shashank manohar.
Voting took place during ICC’s annual quarterly meeting on Tuesday. The electronic voting process involved 16 boards of directors: 12 full members (Test Playing Nations), three partner countries and an independent director (Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo).
“It is an honor to be elected President of the ICC and I would like to thank my fellow ICC Directors for their support. I hope that we can come together to lead the sport and emerge from the global pandemic in a strong position and ready for growth.” Barclay said.
“I look forward to working in partnership with our members to strengthen the game in our core markets, as well as grow it beyond ensuring that more of the world can enjoy cricket.
“I take my position as custodian of the game very seriously and am committed to working on behalf of the 104 members of the ICC to create a sustainable future for our sport,” he added.
The Kiwi won 11-5, receiving the important winning vote from the besieged Cricket South Africa in the second round of voting.
He had received 10 votes to Khwaja’s six in the first round last week, but under existing rules, the winner needs 11: a two-thirds majority of the 16-person ICC Board, as the 17th member is the CEO Manu Sawhney, who has no voting rights.
It is understood that India, England, Australia and New Zealand voted for Barclay, who backs teams playing more bilateral series that adapt to the financial model of these boards in a difficult economic climate.
Khwaja, for his part, had the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The former head of the Singapore cricket board is an advocate for increasing ICC events that will increase the revenue stream for partner nations.
Barclay, an Auckland-based business lawyer, has been a director of NZC since 2012. He currently serves as NZC’s representative on the ICC board of directors, but will step down to lead the world body in an independent capacity.
Barclay was a director of the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and was a board member and president of the Northern Districts Cricket Association. He is also an experienced company director who holds board positions for various companies in New Zealand and Australia.
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