Jay Shah Joins World Cricket Connects Advisory Board-Shaping the Future of Global Cricket

In a major development related to cricket, Chairman of the ICC Jay Shah has joined the newly-formed advisory board of World Cricket Connects. This advisory board is an independent body that is aimed at real challenges and opportunities situated in this sport to sustain and change it continuously. The announcement comes at a time when cricket's top influencers are preparing for a high-profile forum at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 7 and 8, just ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia.

The Evolution of World Cricket Connects

One of the initiatives the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) came up with in 2024 was to bring on board leading voices in cricket. The administrators, the technology experts, and the players come together with the broadcasters and other stakeholders of the game. Last year, over 120 leading figures met in the iconic Long Room at Lord's to discuss the future of cricket.

MCC declared that World Cricket Connects would return in 2025. This year will take it to the next level by launching the World Cricket Connects Advisory Board-a newly formed group whose mandate will be shaping the agenda of the event, and meaningful discussion that leads to actionable outcomes.

The Role of the Advisory Board

The World Cricket Connects Advisory Board is the successor to the MCC World Cricket Committee formed in 2006. The committee has been a treasure trove of several revolutionary ideas that enriched the game during its years of existence, including the first day-night Test matches, the World Test Championship, inclusion of cricket in multi-sport events like the Olympics, and measures to combat corruption in the game. This legacy will be seen again in the new Advisory Board that is going to look after matters strategic in nature, not only of this nature but in a much more contemporary way.

MCC Chair Mark Nicholas described the board: "In putting together the second event, an excellent step forward has been made by establishing the World Cricket Connects Advisory Board. We have convened a truly exceptionally talented group of people who are representative of the most skilled brains in cricket across the most relevant disciplines to our game. I am delighted to work with this seasoned team and look forward to what we can achieve as a collective in the best interest of the global game," he added.

The Advisory Board will work closely with the World Cricket Connects working group, again led by Nicholas, to discuss and ensure that the event delivers tangible value for the game.

Advisory Board Members of Note

The Advisory Board will comprise cricket icons, industry leaders, and influential administrators. Notable members are:

Kumar Sangakkara: Former Sri Lanka Captain and Former MCC President. He shall serve as the Chair of the Advisory Board.

Jay Shah: The President of the ICC and Former Secretary of BCCI. He is amongst the most powerful individuals in world cricket.

Sourav Ganguly: Former Indian Captain and Former BCCI President. For the reason of strategic view and leadership skill.

Graeme Smith: Ex-South Africa captain and currently Commissioner of SA20 League.

Mel Jones: Former International of Australia and a sports broadcaster.

Heather Knight: England's current skipper, and she is the one of the strong voices in the women's game.

Anurag Dahiya: Commercial head at ICC. Anurag played a crucial role in the commercial success of the sport.

Sanjog Gupta: CEO Sports, JioStar, brings into the fold of experience in the areas of sports broadcasting and fan engagement.

Chris Dehring: CEO of West Indies Cricket is known for his deep understanding of cricket's challenges in emerging markets.

Imtiaz Patel: Former Chair of SuperSport, MultiChoice, and DStv bring in vast experience in sports media.

Jay Shah's vision for cricket's future.

Jay Shah receives one more feather under his cap. Just after Jay Shah's assuming the chairmanship at the ICC, on December 1, 2024, he rapidly portrayed himself as the most significant factor in the world of cricket. Now, with the assistance of the World Cricket Connects forum, he can put out his visions from a world's perspective.

ICC under Shah has been more concerned with making the game cricket more inclusive and innovative. His involvement in the Advisory Board shows commitment to addressing critical issues such as the welfare of the player, sustainability, and technological advancement and globalization of the game.

Strategic Discussions for a Brighter Future

World Cricket Connects forum will become the first symposium on cricket. It will provide an independent forum for discussion of strategic issues and the search for a consensus over a future direction of a sport. The event also gains further importance since it is happening just before ICC World Test Championship Final time when the whole world's attention would be at Lord's.

Commentator Mark Nicholas said the forum would be in a position to determine the future of the game. "We look forward to welcoming many of the game's most influential figures to debate the most important topics that dominate global cricket," he said. "This platform will help us address pressing challenges and seize opportunities that will determine the future of the game." The Wider Vision

The MCC's attempts to develop the World Cricket Connects concept show a broader intent to preserve the health of cricket globally. Collaboration between stakeholders, including the Advisory Board, has addressed issues of commercialization, the sport's relevance in an increasingly fast-paced world, and promoting cricket in new markets.

If it sticks to its diverse make-up and visionary agenda, the Advisory Board of World Cricket Connect will most likely revolutionize the game. So, with problems like player exhaustion and disruption with technology, challenges that cricket stands with in its state today, cricket needs programs to chart a more sustainable and more inclusive future course of action.

Conclusion

Jay Shah's induction into the World Cricket Connects Advisory Board is a testimony to his pull and vision for global cricket. When this Advisory Board meets and addresses cricket's greatest challenges, then cricket will be eager to see the outputs of this collaborative effort. Leaders like Shah would prove stimulating, and a lineup of experts makes it look brighter than ever for cricket.