Generally the “BIG-3” term is
used to refer most prominent entities in any field of life just like people,
business, education, music, sports, entertainment and technology.
Similarly in the world of cricket a “BIG-3” came into existence in last few
months. Here the Big-3 means India, Australia and England which wants to
overhaul the ICC’s administrative structure, revenue distribution, grasping over
key positions of ICC, future tour programs (FTP), different issues of test
ranking and suggestions of reinstatement of champion trophy over test
championship through controversial “Position paper”
At this time almost more than 70% revenue generator country is India after that
England and Australia are higher contributor respectively. On the other hand for
the sake of cricket growth and development in whole world 75% of ICC’s earning
is distributed in 10 full members and rest 25% is distributed among associated
and affiliated members. But “BIG-3” especially India wants a proportionate share
of revenue as it generates.
Due to popularity of IPL and such other leagues are going to upward and
financially they have boosted up the cricket. In other sense they are becoming
money making machines and affected many cricket affairs. So to manipulate,
Business and commercial committee (BCC) on behalf of big-3 present a draft for
structural changing in ICC before the all boards executive meeting in Tuesday at
Dubai. For approval of this resolution three-quarters (3/4) vote is necessary.
Now full members are 10 and it means 8 required out of 10.
I think it is important to share some significant points of “Position paper”. So
that “BIG-3” plan become easy to understand.
KEY POINTS OF DRAFT
Three Important positions in ICC are kept by big-3, ICC chairman, chairman of
Ex.co, and Head of FCA committee
It is proposal of setting up a new executive committee in which big-3 is
permanent members and two from other boards for one year each.
Revenue distribution among all board according new plan
ICC will not have control over Future tour programs (FTP)
Promotions and relegations in Test cricket with exceptions in case of BCCI,CA
and ECB.
Champion trophy will be reinstated instead of World Test Championship
In this draft most of administrative power is given to “BIG-3” because three key
positions of ICC are kept by them. Further if draft is being accepted then
Executive Committee will become sole recommendation on all issues like
constitutional, personal, integrity, ethics, developments and nominations
matters. Now it is become very serious because BCCI-CA-ECB will threaten to
other boards and ultimately there will be misuse of powers and income. Richer
will dictate poors.
Test teams will be devided into two groups, Indian , Australian and England
cricket tesms will lies in 1st group and will have special exception in Test
status and promotions. In this group two toper teams are included from rest of
seven and they will have to face decrease in rank as well as revenue. The 2nd
group also have five teams. From fourth to eighth no teams will never grasp
first three positions, similarly 9th and 10th position is very critical which
means these teams can lose test status any time. Simply we can say that it is
former “Veto System” that was in hands of England and Australia. That was power
which abolish cricket in America and Canada when CA and ECB take back the Test
status from America. That time those coutries were “BIG-2”, now with the entry
of India it become “BIG-3”.
The President of ICC and Executives of BCCI-CA-ECB argue of meritocracy then I
ask question from them where the Hell Justice has gone. You have all key
positions, you have veto power, you have exemption from test depromotions &
ranking, you have more than 80% revenue and still you are arguing it is justice.
It is not justice, it is just a lollypop to small nations.
There are 10 full members of ICC from which New Zeeland and West Indies backed
up the big three because of their dependence on Australia and India. Remaining
five which include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Due to this “position paper” Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are worried because of fear
of forfeiting of their test status. So they are opposing although they are
financially dependent upon BCCI up to much extent. Sri Lankan board also in
financial trouble and it has given an application for loan from ICC which is
still hanging in way. But still Sri Lanka is opposing Big-3 formula. South
Africa is a big looser due to this draft because of decrease in test ranking and
less portion of revenue from ICC. Pakistan has clear stand against BCCI-CA-ECB.
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf strongly denied BIG-3 formula and said I am not alone
we are four.
Ex-ICC chief Ehsan Mani slams “BIG-3” plan. He said it is need of cricket to
develop and grow in the whole world. For this purpose more investment is
required not less. How it will happen in new formula. Former England captain
Michael Atherton, Pakistan former captain Imran Khan, Rana Tunga, Jonty Rhodes,
many other crickters and former ICC officials criticize this plan.