The ICC has announced it is deferring the meeting of its Referees Commission, scheduled for the end of this week in South Africa (23rd and 24th February).

The decision was made following written requests from members of the ICC Executive Board. Directors from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the United Cricket Board of South Africa have formally requested ICC President Malcolm Gray that the Commission be postponed until after the Executive Board meeting in South Africa in mid March.

"It is extremely disappointing that the work of a properly constituted Commission, established after extensive consultation with the BCCI, has to be halted because of pressure from within the Executive Board. However, as a matter of proper corporate governance the ICC President has a duty to reflect the wishes of Board members," commented Malcolm Gray.

"Postponing the Commission will further delay the formal review of important parts of the Match Referees' role. With the new five man panel taking up its duties in April this is a matter that required immediate resolution at the Board, rather than further debate about the composition of the Commission" added the President.

The Commission of Justice Albie Sachs, Majid Khan and Andrew Hilditch were due to spend two days considering a brief on aspects of the future role of ICC Match Referees, in the wake of the dispute over decisions made by Mike Denness against the Indian team in South Africa last November.

The ICC Executive Board is due to meet in Cape Town on the 15th and 16th of March.

Media contacts:

Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 266 7913/1818
Mob: + 44 (0) 787 944 1891
Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

Or

David Clarke
ICC Communications Officer
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7266 7914

© ICC