ICC for Hiring Srinivasan: World Cricket's Clowns of the Month, June 2014

At its annual conference in Melbourne last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) pressed on with its original plan to appoint Indian cricket administrator N Srinivasan as its first chairman.

All this comes while Srinivasan’s involvement, or the lack thereof, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal is under investigation by India’s Supreme Court.

The conflict of interest was such that the Supreme Court asked Srinivasan to stand down as president of the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) while the investigation is carried out.

He eventually agreed, albeit recluctantly, having first explored whether he could file an appeal or another such challenge.

Having been asked to stand down from his position with the BCCI, there were questions about whether he should continue with his desire to be chairman of the ICC.

Given that the ICC is the world game’s governing body, Srinivasan would have enormous power over cricket, something that would not sit well given the allegations surrounding him in India.

However, both the ICC and Srinivasan pressed on with their plan under the new power structure in the organization that gives India, Australia and England much more clout.

All this calls into question how trustworthy the 69-year-old can be in his new position, given the questions—albeit unproven—that surround his conduct back home.

Those hoping that his introductory press conference could shed some light on the situation were to be disappointed, as he stated that he stepped aside from the BCCI “voluntarily.” 

As well as quite obviously being a lie, it made him come across as evasive and shifty, especially as he looked to explore his legal options so he could remain in power.

Arun Sankar K/Associated Press

It all leaves a sour taste in the mouth, especially when considering that the ICC’s new “Big Three” have much of the power of decision-making at the behest of almost all other nations.

Not only that, Srinivasan’s issues with Cricket South Africa’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat seem to have spilled over, as one of the best sides in the world do not have a representative on any committee.

All the while, it has been allowed to happen by the ICC, with last month’s unveiling making it all official.

The question remains: If Srinivasan is found guilty of any wrongdoing, what happens to his chairmanship?

All will be revealed in due course, once the wheels of Indian justice gather steam, but the ICC could have avoided all these problems in the first place.