ICC Extends Chair's Term, Expands Women's Cricket Pathways

At a recent board meeting held in Dubai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially endorsed significant changes to the tenure of the ICC Chair and the Independent Director roles. The alterations include extending the term length for the Chair from two to three years. Additionally, the rule allowing three consecutive terms for the Chair has been revised, reducing it to two, meaning future Chairs can serve for a maximum of six years, but must be re-elected only once rather than twice as per the previous rule.

This change aligns with the ICC’s intention to provide greater continuity and stability in leadership. Jay Shah, who was elected unopposed as the next ICC Chair, will take on the role starting from December 1, 2024.

Expanding Pathways for Women's Cricket

One of the key focuses of the meeting was the expansion of opportunities for women’s cricket, particularly for Associate Member (AM) nations. In a landmark decision, the ICC announced the introduction of two annual T20 International (T20I) tournaments for women's AM teams, set to begin in 2025. These competitions aim to provide more structured and competitive cricket for the 24 participating teams. The tournaments will play a crucial role in the qualification process for the 2030 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which will feature 16 teams, up from the current number of 10.

This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the pipeline for women’s cricket, especially among developing cricket nations. With these tournaments, AM teams will gain valuable international experience, helping to elevate the quality and reach of women's cricket globally. The tournaments will also bring context and structure to the competitive calendar for these teams, allowing them to gain crucial match practice ahead of ICC events.

In addition to these T20I tournaments, the ICC has laid out a framework for awarding One Day International (ODI) status to women's AM teams. The new structure will allow a maximum of two Associate teams to gain ODI status by qualifying for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2025. The remaining three spots for ODI status will be allocated based on ICC T20I rankings during the annual rankings update. This system will reward performance and consistency, offering a clear and meritocratic pathway for AM teams to advance in the women’s game.

Women's Future Tours Programme and Rankings Changes

Furthering its commitment to women’s cricket, the ICC also announced that the women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2025-2029 cycle will be unveiled in the coming days. The FTP is a vital tool for structuring international cricket schedules, ensuring that all Full Member teams have a balanced and consistent slate of matches throughout the cycle. This development will provide clarity for national boards, fans, and players, ensuring that women's international cricket continues to grow in prominence.

Moreover, the ICC has decided to shift the annual rankings update for women's teams from October 1 to May 1 each year. This change reflects the increasing volume of women’s international cricket and will allow the rankings system to better capture the teams' performances across a larger number of matches. In a related adjustment, the ICC has raised the minimum number of matches required for teams to maintain ranking eligibility. Teams must now play at least eight matches per cycle, an increase from the previous requirement of six. This shift is aimed at encouraging more frequent competition among women's teams and ensuring that the rankings remain an accurate reflection of form and performance.

Key Appointments and Governance Updates

In addition to the structural changes and cricketing updates, the ICC made several governance appointments during the meeting. Scott Weenink and Scott Edwards have been appointed to the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, representing Full Member and Associate Member nations, respectively. Their appointments will help ensure that the perspectives of both Full and Associate members are adequately represented in decision-making around the men’s game.

On the medical front, Dr. John Maclean was named as the new chair of the ICC’s Medical Advisory Committee, replacing Dr. Roger Hawkes, who has retired after years of service. Dr. Maclean, a renowned sports physician, will oversee the committee responsible for health and safety protocols across international cricket, including player wellbeing and medical research initiatives.

A Path Forward for Women's Cricket

The ICC’s announcements underscore its commitment to expanding and enhancing the landscape of women’s cricket on the global stage. The new initiatives, particularly the T20I tournaments for Associate Member teams, offer a structured path for women's teams from emerging cricketing nations to showcase their talent and earn a spot in global tournaments like the Women's T20 World Cup.

The changes to ODI status criteria further reinforce the ICC’s drive to encourage performance-based progress for women’s AM teams. By linking ODI status to qualification in global tournaments and T20I rankings, the ICC is ensuring that the teams with the strongest and most consistent performances are rewarded with the opportunity to compete at a higher level. This meritocratic system will also help in identifying new talent and developing cricketing nations that can challenge the traditional powerhouses in women’s cricket.

The women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2025-2029 cycle will be eagerly awaited, providing fans and teams with a clearer picture of the competitive landscape for the next five years. The FTP is expected to feature a range of bilateral series, ICC tournaments, and regional competitions, further boosting the visibility of women’s cricket globally.

These developments signal a concerted effort by the ICC to elevate the women's game to new heights. By increasing opportunities for Associate Member nations and adjusting the ODI status criteria, the ICC is taking concrete steps to ensure that the growth of the women’s game is both sustainable and inclusive. These actions, combined with governance updates and the introduction of key medical advisors, reflect the ICC’s holistic approach to cricket's global development, with both men's and women's cricket at the forefront.

As cricket continues to grow globally, the ICC's focus on women's cricket is expected to play a pivotal role in broadening the sport’s appeal and creating a more equitable playing field for all nations. With an expanded competition structure and new pathways for qualification, the future of women's cricket looks brighter than ever.