ICC expands Umpires Elite Panel

The International Cricket Council Board on Wednesday decided to expand the Elite Panel of Umpires from 10 to 12 to cope with the busy international schedule, besides approving a merit-based increment for the officials.

In a two-day meeting which concluded in Dubai, the Board accepted the recommendations made by the Umpires' Task Force, concerning the structure, support mechanisms, remuneration and selection of officials in future.

"The Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires will be expanded from 10 to 12 to cope with busy periods in the cricket calendar, allow the leading officials to spend less time away from home and also allow them to work on their skills," the ICC said in a statement.

The Board also agreed that the "payment structure for Emirates Elite Panel Umpires should provide sufficient incentive for officials to aspire to be appointed to the Elite Panel; and that each umpire be paid a merit-based increment."

The Board decided that the selection of umpires to the panels and to matches should be carried out by an independent three-person selection group chaired by, ICC General Manager Cricket.

The Board appointed a four-man Recruitment Committee to lead the search for a successor to current CEO Malcolm Speed, who is set to step down at next year's ICC Annual Conference in June/July.

The committee comprises ICC president Ray Mali, president-elect David Morgan, vice-president Sharad Pawar and the chairman of the Governance Review Committee Creagh O'Connor.

The Board also adopted amendments to the ICC Memorandum and Articles, which were formally drafted at the ICC Annual Conference.

The amendments include: "Approval of a regional rotation policy for the ICC presidency, starting in 2008 with a candidate from England/West Indies (David Morgan), followed by India/Sri Lanka (Sharad Pawar); Australia/New Zealand; Bangladesh/Pakistan; South Africa/Zimbabwe; and an Associate/Affiliate representative, before this cycle of rotation begins again."

Each region due to assume the presidency will have its candidate ready to assume the vice-presidency two years ahead of time.

All ICC presidents will now be in place for two years, without the option of a third year in the role.

Meanwhile, Morgan was formally appointed the ICC president-elect and BCCI chief Sharad Pawar was formally took over as the governing body's vice-president.