Commercial considerations may prompt ICC to hold every third cricket World Cup in sub-continent

Commercial considerations may prompt the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stage every third 50-over World Cup in the sub-continent, says a report in The Times Of India.

“The ICC’s media rights are scheduled to go up for grabs in the 2015-2023 period and bagging a lucrative deal may be difficult without assuring buyers marquee events like a World Cup in India, which generates a majority of the game’s revenues. Four of the ICC’s 10 Full Members are also from the subcontinent and sources say the world body is seriously contemplating doing away with its current rotation policy to decide the World Cup host,” says the report.

India, of course, will get to host a major share of any World Cup in the subcontinent, just like it did in 2011. Although ICC board members haven’t had an official discussion on the matter, sources say certain sections of the world body are keen on sending a proposal over to all board members for their consideration.

Other news (The DNA, TOI, HT, Indian Express, The Tribune, The Hindu)

ICC to solve WI crisis: The ICC has decided to step in and sort out the long-standing contract dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and its players’ association. Meetings have been scheduled between the ICC and FICA from June 10 to 13 in Barbados, where they will act as mediators.

Dilshan leads Lanka to easy win over Pak: Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 76 runs in the second one-day international in Pallekele on Saturday to level the five-match series 1-1. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 119 helped the hosts post a challenging 280/4 after captain Mahela Jayawardene elected to bat first. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 204 despite an impressive 96 from opener Azhar Ali. Sri Lankan seamer Thisara Perera finished with a career-best 6/44.

West Indies 164/5 against England: Graham Onions marked his England recall with two wickets as West Indies collapsed to 164 for five at tea, after losing the toss on the third day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday. Marlon Samuels was batting 50 not out and Denesh Ramdin one not out after the first two days of this Test were washed out without a ball being bowled.

Pakistan hires psychologist for fixing convict Aamer: Pakistan has hired a psychologist to help in the rehabilitation of paceman Mohammad Aamer who was convicted and banned in a spot-fixing scandal, an official said on Saturday. Aamer, 20, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were sent to prison for their parts in a spot-fixing scandal and banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a minimum of five years. “We have hired Maqsood Babri to counsel Aamer as part of his rehabilitation,” Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. “The sessions of counselling will start soon and in this regard we are in touch with the ICC also.”