After four years in that position, Geoff Allardice has announced his resignation as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) CEO. Only weeks before the Champions Trophy, Allardice made the decision, stating that he wants to take on new challenges.
Allardice worked as Cricket Operations Manager for Cricket Australia before joining the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket. He was named acting CEO of the ICC in March 2021 after his predecessor, Manu Sawhney, was suspended. He was given the position full-time in November 2021, eight months later. He had a significant role in establishing cricket’s commercial stability, expanding the game’s audience, and directing ICC policy during his tenure.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members,” Allardice said in a release.
I hope the ICC and the international cricket community have many more successful years ahead of them. The Geoff Allardice
Allardice was responsible for a number of significant advancements during his tenure at the ICC, such as the creation of the World Test Championship, the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in all forms, and initiatives to guarantee bowling action fairness. He had to lead cricket through the COVID-19 pandemic, which made his time as CEO very difficult. Influencing cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles was one of his accomplishments.
“Over the last 13 years, I would want to express my gratitude to the ICC Chair, the board of directors, and the entire cricket community for their cooperation and support. I think it’s time for me to step aside and take on new tasks. He went on to say, “I am sure that cricket has exciting times ahead, and I wish the ICC and the global cricket community all the success in the future.”
During his tenure, the ICC also hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup, its first major tournament ever held in the United States. Nonetheless, questions were raised about how that event was carried out, and an audit of its operations was requested. Jay Shah, the recently appointed ICC chair who took over from Greg Barclay, spoke on Allardice’s influence on the game.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude to Geoff on behalf of the ICC Board for his dedication and leadership throughout his time as CEO. His work has been instrumental in the global advancement of cricket. “We sincerely appreciate his service and wish him the best of luck in all of his future undertakings,” Shah stated.
The ICC has not yet disclosed whether Allardice would stay in his position until the Champions Trophy is over or if a replacement will be made right away. The board has stated that in the upcoming weeks, it will begin the process of choosing his replacement.
His resignation is the most recent in a series of high-profile departures from the ICC’s senior management, which also includes Claire Furlong (general manager of marketing and communications), Chris Tetley (head of events), and Alex Marshall (head of anti-corruption).
India
