ICC chiefs meet to decide 2011 WC grouping

Omulo Okoth, Johannesburg, South Africa

Kenya will know the group in which it will play during the 2011 Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent after today’s International Cricket Council (ICC) executive committee meeting in Johannesburg on the side lines of the Champions Trophy here.

This will be Kenya’s fifth World Cup appearance after sub-continent (1996), England (1999), South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya (2003) and West Indies (2007).

Among other matters up for discussion are the Future Tours Programme (FTP) post-2012 as well as the seedings and groupings for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. The committee will also hear a report from the security task force.

Four Meetings

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) will convene today and tomorrow for one of its four meetings per year.

The two-day gathering will make decisions on a range of matters relating to the playing of cricket as well as recommendations on the business of cricket for consideration by the ICC board meeting on October 6-7, which will also be held in Johannesburg, according to a statement by the ICC.

With the current FTP due to conclude in May 2012, following feedback received from members by the ICC management, the CEC will consider a revised draft FTP for the period after 2012.

The concept of a Test Championship, which has been discussed and debated by both the CEC and the ICC board, will also be considered. The new FTP remains an important work-in-progress and will continue to receive attention during the course of this CEC meeting. Members will also be asked to consider ways of enhancing and promoting Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game.

The CEC will receive an update report on preparations for the ICC CWC 2011 and specifically consider the seedings and groupings for the event, which takes place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka early next year.

The CEC will also receive important updates, including one from the security task force, which was set up by the ICC Board to conduct a review of security arrangements for all international cricket.

The CEC comprises the chief executives of the ten Test-playing members and three representatives from ICC Associate Members. It is chaired by the ICC Chief Executive. The ICC President and the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee will also be in attendance.