Narayanaswami Srinivasan elected chairman of International Cricket Council

Narayanaswami Srinivasan. Photo from cricket.yahoo.com.

MELBOURNE, Australia—Indian industrialist Narayanaswami Srinivasan has been elected chairman of the International Cricket Council on Thursday, declaring he will leave “no stone unturned” in strengthening a sport tarnished by recent match fixing revelations.

Srinivasan remains barred by the Indian Supreme Court from carrying out his duties as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India during an investigation of the Indian Premier League team headed by his son-in-law.

The Supreme Court made clear that the investigation of the Chennai Super Kings should not affect Srinivasan’s candidacy for the ICC role.

His election was confirmed by the board of the ICC, meeting in Melbourne, after 52 members of the full council signed off major changes to the world body’s structure.

“It is an honour to be confirmed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council,” Srinivasan said. “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to strengthen the pillars and foundations of our sport, both on and off the field.

“I want to ensure that cricket retains and grows its popularity and that the ICC plays a leading role in this global growth.”

Srinivasan said he wants to see more strong teams in international cricket.

“For this to be achieved, we all need to work hard to develop local talent in our countries,” he said. “Naturally, there will be more support to those who first show they can help themselves.

“The ICC is a members’ organization and the pathway is now there for any member to play test cricket or in the major ICC events if it performs well enough over a sustained period of time.”

The structural changes approved Thursday flow from a board resolution taking on Feb. 8 and finalized on April 10 which see virtual control of world cricket handed to India, England and Australia.

An executive committee will be formed, reporting to the ICC board, and will initially be headed by Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards. Giles Clarke of the England and Wales Cricket Board will continue to head the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.

Mustafa Kamal of Bangladesh was elected as the 11th president of the ICC.

“This is a memorable and historic day for Bangladesh cricket,” Kamal said. “On this day 14 years ago, Bangladesh became the 10th test playing country.

“Today, a Bangladeshi becomes the 11th president of the International Cricket Council.

“In Mr. Srinivasan and (chief executive) David Richardson, I have absolute trust and confidence that we have a combination that will not only strengthen our sport, but will also take this great organization to a new level.”