Date:09/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/09/stories/2008040951571800.htm

Sport - Cricket

FTP may be revised

Melbourne: Newly appointed ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat has hinted that the international cricket calendar may be revised to make room for the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

Lorgat, who will take over from Malcolm Speed as the ICC CEO in July, said it was hard to ignore the league and the game’s governing body was more than willing to tinker with the Future Tours Programme (FTP) to accommodate it in the international calendar.

“The IPL is something that is exciting and can be used to enhance and grow the game around the globe. Cricket is unique in that we have three formats now, and that can be used to attract new fans. If we need to revisit the FTP, we will do that,” Lorgat told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Lorgat allayed fears that Twenty20 would kill Test and one-day cricket and said all three forms could survive if the number of games was managed properly.

“If well managed, I think all three forms of the game are sustainable. It’s just about finding the right balance,” he said.

On the other issues facing the game, most prominently umpiring, the standard of which raised considerable storm this summer, Lorgat said the ICC was exploring new technologies to make the on-field officials’ job easier. “It is important to assist the umpires, not replace them.” — PTI