DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not formed a window to accommodate the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) in its current Future Tours Programme (FTP).

However, the ICC said that a window for IPL can be created in its new FTP model, which will be done after the current international schedule gets over in May 2012.

“The ICC has not received any official request from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) as of now for creating such a window,” ICC acting chief executive Dave Richardson told IANS here Thursday, the second day of the annual ICC board meeting.

“No decision has been made on creating such windows as of now,” he added.

During the ongoing ICC board meeting here, the Australian cricket board has given a presentation on the concept of an alternative structure to bilateral tours, including an enhanced Test Championship.

“It is too early to divulge the specifics yet but all boards have been given a copy of the presentation,” Richardson said at a press conference, adding that all members have expressed great keenness in the concept of Test Championship.

According to an official statement issued here, all ICC directors would report back to their respective boards to obtain updated financial information and feedback to enable a refined model to be prepared by the world body, which will be done in its chief executive committee meeting in January 2009.

ICC’s key considerations while preparing the new format are: “All three formats of international cricket should be protected and promoted with Test cricket identified as the pinnacle of the sport; the ‘icon’ Test series must be protected; ICC should look at ways of taking greater central ‘ownership’ of international cricket outside its events or at least providing for more consistency in marketing and promotion; and the concept of a Test championship and/or play-off should be explored further.”
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com