27 Jan 2014

Former cricket chiefs slam "big three" plan

6:11 am on 27 January 2014

Former cricket chiefs have attacked the International Cricket Council's proposal for greater decision-making powers for a three-strong group of the Board of Control for Cricket.

The trio concerned are India, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board -- who between them represent the game's wealthiest nations.

The ICC are due to discuss the controversial plan -- which has been drafted because of an apparent threat by India to withdraw from major global events unless there is radical reform of the ICC -- in Dubai over the next two days.

There's also a move afoot for a two-tier test league with Australia, India and England being protected from relegation because of their financial clout.

Pakistan's former ICC president Ehsan Mani has written a letter to the ICC, co-signed by former top Australian officials Malcolm Speed and Malcolm Gray, suggesting the paper needed to be withdrawn.