In what could be a major setback for the growth of cricket in the United States, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to take stringent action against USA Cricket (USAC) due to ongoing governance failures. As the 12-month deadline from the ICC’s governance notice approaches in July 2025, USAC now faces the real possibility of suspension from the global cricketing body.
Highlights:
- ICC may suspend USA Cricket over governance issues.
- USAC board urged to resign before July deadline.
- Lack of reforms threatens USA’s global cricket status.
In July 2024, the ICC placed USAC under formal notice, raising serious concerns about the board’s administrative structure and its inability to function effectively. A “normalisation committee” was formed to oversee reforms and ensure compliance. However, insiders report that despite consistent external oversight, very little has changed in the organization over the past year.
Mounting Pressure from ICC
The ICC has made its stance clear — effective governance is non-negotiable, especially with cricket’s return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028. ICC officials, during a recent visit to Los Angeles, met with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as well as members of the USAC board and the normalisation committee. These meetings reinforced the ICC’s concerns over deep-rooted dysfunction and internal disputes within USAC.
One official described the situation as “unsustainable,” noting that repeated warnings have gone largely ignored. The ICC has reportedly urged USAC board members, including Chair Venu Pisike, to resign voluntarily to avoid stricter sanctions.
Resistance and Uncertainty
While some directors appear open to stepping down, a faction remains defiant. According to reports, no formal decision has been made by the USAC board, which is still awaiting official documentation from the ICC. Tensions have escalated, with several directors accused of stalling the reform process.
ICC officials clarified that their discussions in Los Angeles, though informal, were focused on the core issue of competent and transparent governance—not mere bureaucratic procedure.
Consequences of Suspension
If the ICC proceeds with suspension, USAC will face immediate isolation from international cricket. This would mean:
- Loss of ICC funding
- Inability to host international matches
- Disqualification from development programs
- Jeopardy to U.S. cricket’s Olympic aspirations
Such a move would not only damage the credibility of USAC but also impact budding American cricketers and domestic leagues like Major League Cricket (MLC), which has gained momentum in recent years.
What Lies Ahead?
The ICC has yet to make a public statement, but with the July deadline closing in, some form of resolution—voluntary resignations or forced suspension—seems inevitable. Sources suggest that a wave of resignations may occur in the coming weeks as a last-ditch effort to avoid ICC sanctions.
This moment marks a critical juncture for cricket in the United States. The road ahead hinges on whether the current leadership is willing to prioritize the sport’s future over personal power. Failure to do so may set U.S. cricket back by several years, just as it was gaining ground globally.
Resources: TOI