ICC suspend USA cricket with immediate effect for 'repeat', 'continued' violations of member commitments

The International Cricket Board (ICC) immediately announced the suspension of the USA Cricket membership on Tuesday, saying the decision was made to a ‘thorough overview of business and extensive involvement with the main stakeholders over the past year’. In a media statement, the global governing body blamed the US cricket for repeated and continuing offenses of its obligations as an ICC member. The decision comes in building Cricket’s return to the Olympics calendar by Los Angeles Games 2028, as the ICC allowed the US national teams to participate in its competitions and prepare for the Extravaganza. “The decision, made earlier at the meeting during the meeting, is based on the repeated and continued violation of the US as an ICC member under the ICC Constitution,” ICC said. “This includes, but is not limited to, the failure to implement a functional management structure, a lack of progress in achieving national governing body status in the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and important actions that have caused reputation to cricket in the United States and around the world. The global governing body said the action is needed to protect the ‘long -term interests of the game’ and that the top priority is to ensure that the athletes and the sport are not affected by the suspension. “ICC Board has decided that the US national teams will retain their right to participate in ICC meetings, including preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics (LA28),” the ICC said. “The management and administration of the US national teams will temporarily supervise the ICC and/or its designated representatives to ensure continued support for the players and maintain momentum to Olympic inclusion.” “This approach reflects the firm commitment of the ICC to maintain the best interests of cricketers in the US and the care of a high-performance and player development program that will try to increase the stature and capabilities of players representing the US,” he added. How can the US lift ICC suspension? The governing body said that its normalization committee, which is supported by the management of the ICC, will “set out the steps needed for the suspension on the US cricket that needs to be lifted and its membership rights repaired”. “This will include demonstrable and specific changes to the management structure, operations and overall status of the cricket ecosystem. Despite being the co-host of last year’s T20 World Championships in the Americas, the US cricket was notified at the ICC’s annual general meeting in 2024,” to set up the non-compliance with non-compliance “.