FICA raps ICC over Srinivasan appointment

N.Srinivasan gestures during a press conference.- AP file

World players association FICA said onFriday controversy surrounding N. Srinivasan should have been resolved before he was elected the new International Cricket Council chairman.

The Indian powerbroker was anointed by the ICC at its annual conference in Melbourne on Thursday despite being suspended by India’s Supreme Court as his country’s top cricket official after being named in a damning report into corruption allegations in the Indian Premier League.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, which represents the players of all Test nations with the exception of India and Pakistan, said it was disappointed by the decision.

“We’ve seen in recent days significant changes at ICC level, which represent a new era in terms of the administration and leadership of world cricket,” outgoing FICA executive chairman Paul Marsh, an Australian, said.

“FICA’s position on this is well known. Our strong preference was for the controversy involving Mr Srinivasan in India to be resolved before the ICC made a decision on the chairmanship.

“While it’s disappointing that this did not occur, we can’t let this distract FICA from its responsibility of helping shape cricket’s future.”

South Africa’s Tony Irish was appointed Friday as FICA’s new executive chairman to replace Marsh, who is leaving to take charge of the Australian Football League’s Players Association.

Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams was reappointed as president at FICA’s annual meeting in Melbourne.