Michael Atherton leads global criticism of power grab within ICC
Former England captain is among several high-profile opponents of attempt to cede control of the game to three countries
Former England captain Michael Atherton and a leading global anti-corruption watchdog have joined the chorus of criticism on plans to effectively cede control of world cricket to India, Australia and England.
Leaked draft proposals being discussed at a two-day International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting in Dubai, that ends on Wednesday, call for more decision-making powers for a three-strong group of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board, who between them represent the game's wealthiest nations.
There is also a plan to create two divisions for test cricket but with England, Australia and India all guaranteed to avoid relegation from the top tier because of their commercial importance.
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Atherton, now the cricket correspondent of The Times, was scathing in his condemnation of the proposals, writing they represented "the end of the notion that a fair and principled and just body can govern cricket in the interests of all".
Atherton agreed the ICC had to be reformed, but said there was little merit in a "Big Three" plan.
"No one doubts that the status quo, as far as the ICC is concerned, is unacceptable: two full-member countries are thought to be corrupt; four are essentially broke; most rely on India's largesse to keep going ... politics, race and personalities interfere at every turn. Incompetence is a given."
Transparency International said the "intention to entrench a privileged position for 'The Big Three' appears to be an abuse of entrusted power for private gain, giving them disproportionate, unaccountable and unchallengeable authority".
If adopted, the plan would mean the end of the ICC's Future Tours Programme, a system which compels the leading 10 test nations to play each other during a set period.