Following a “thorough review of affairs and extensive engagement with key stakeholders over the past year,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday that USA Cricket’s membership would be suspended with immediate effect.
The international governing body accused USA Cricket in a media statement of persistently failing to fulfill its ICC membership duties.
The move comes in the lead-up to cricket’s Olympic return at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Despite the suspension, the ICC has allowed USA’s national teams to continue competing in its tournaments and prepare for the global showpiece.
“The decision, taken by the ICC Board during its meeting earlier, was based on USA Cricket’s repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as a ICC Member under the ICC’s Constitution,” the ICC said.
“These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world,” it said.
The global governing body stated that the measure was required to safeguard the “long term interests of the game” and that protecting the athletes and the sport from the suspension is its top priority.
“ICC Board has decided that USA’s national teams will retain their right to participate in ICC events, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28),” the ICC said.
“The management and administration of USA national teams will temporarily be overseen by the ICC and/or its designated representatives to ensure continued support for the players and maintain momentum towards Olympic inclusion.”
“This approach reflects the ICC’s firm commitment to upholding the best interests of cricketers in the USA and the sustenance of a High-performance & Player development program which will seek to elevate the stature and capabilities of players representing the USA,” it added.
Supported by the ICC’s administration, the governing body stated that its Normalization Committee will “outline the steps required for the suspension on USA Cricket to be lifted and its membership rights restored”.
“These will include demonstrable and specific changes to USA Cricket’s governance structure, operations and overall status in the Cricket ecosystem. The Normalisation Committee will also monitor USA Cricket’s progress and provide consultatory support,” it added.
USA Cricket was put on notice at the ICC’s annual general meeting in 2024, even though they were co-hosts of the T20 World Cup in the Americas “for non-compliance with ICC Membership Criteria and given 12 months to remedy that non-compliance”.
