ICC suspends USA Cricket Board after failing to meet governance reforms

‌The United States of America’s cricket board was suspended with immediate effect on Tuesday for continued breaches of obligations and delay in the introduction of governance reforms. The International Cricket Council Board took the decision after a virtual meeting of their board, and also ensured that the suspension will not impact the USA cricket team’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup or in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"The decision, taken by the ICC Board during its meeting earlier, was based on USA Cricket's repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as an ICC Member under the ICC's Constitution," an ICC press release said.

"These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world."

The ICC had already placed the USAC on a three-month notice during their Annual General Meeting in July for conducting free and fair elections and to introduce comprehensive governance reforms, with the harsh call coming in just two months after that. With the suspension, ICC will take ad-hoc charge of the administration and management of the USA national teams.

"When USAC was notified of the AGM's decision," the ICC press release said, "it was specifically advised in writing that, along with fulfilling the commitments it made to the Board and taking immediate steps in that respect, it must (i) not do/omit to do anything that might jeopardise cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, and (ii) not do anything (by act or omission) that brings cricket or the ICC into disrepute or is contrary to the best interests of cricket or the ICC."

"It is unfortunate but necessary to protect the long-term interests of the game, and the ICC's top priority remains ensuring that the athletes and the sport itself are not impacted due to the suspension. The ICC remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in the United States, protecting the sporting ecosystem and its constituents, namely the athletes, and bolstering its march towards a more significant role on the global stage."