New York: Almost a fortnight after the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, two senior ICC officials – closely involved in organising the marquee event in the Americas, have tendered their resignations.
Chris Tetley, the ICC Head of Events, and Claire Furlong, the General Manager of Marketing and Communications, announced their departures ahead of ICC’s annual conference in Colombo next week.
With the top-tier meet set to take place from July 19-22, more so to discuss the hosting of the 20-team tournament and the reactions to it, their resignations raise a few questions.
However, per the inside sources within the ICC, the duo had resigned long back but hung around to ensure a smooth transition, considering the heavy cricket schedule. The latest reports suggest that both will be part of the ICC annual conference meeting.
Per Cricbuzz, a source close to the information further revealed that both Tetley and Furlong decided to say goodbye to ICC sometime during the end of the last commercial cycle but stayed on in the view of the T20 WC in the West.
Meanwhile, the T20 WC took place for the first time in the USA, and the response to playing on ‘unknown pitches’ wasn’t the best. Considering the runs flow, the pitches and the outfields expected to play during this tournament, nothing seemed to fall in place during the US leg – where three venues (New York, Florida and Texas) hosted 16 Group Stage games.
The reports also reveal that several board members are keen on discussing the failed attempt to grow cricket in the USA to engage the audience for the LA28 Summer Games, where cricket returns to the program after over a century.
Going by the drop-in pitches used, mainly in New York, which hosted some of the top games, including the marquee India-Pakistan match, saw low-scoring affairs. Besides, the crowd turnout in those games wasn’t even convincing.
However, the pitches were prepared in Adelaide and later transported to New York for the marquee event, with the 34,000-capacity Nassau Cricket County Stadium in Long Island – now dismantled, hosted games.
Although several agendas will be discussed during the next ICC meet, including the Presidential Elections (to be held in November) and talks about hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March next year, two senior members resigning with investigation on the line raises eyebrows.
