Clarke encouraged by talks

ECB chairman Giles Clarke was delighted to get the opportunity to meet with ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat

ECB chairman Giles Clarke has spoken of his satisfaction after he and other board directors were given the opportunity to meet with International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Wednesday.

The meeting took place as part of the ICC’s ongoing process of information sharing with members.

Lorgat was joined by chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd. It was his sixth such meeting with ICC full members, having already caught up with the boards of Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa, New Zealand Cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket.

Clarke said: “The ECB were hugely impressed by the fact that both Haroon Lorgat and Clive Lloyd took the time to offer the board an enlightening insight into the scope of the work of the ICC.

“I know my colleagues on the ECB board were grateful for an opportunity to express their views and be updated on the ICC’s role.

“Haroon Lorgat’s initiative of visiting the member boards must be applauded and it is another example of his visionary leadership of the organisation.”

Commenting on the interaction at Lord’s, Lorgat added: “As with our previous meeting with members, this was productive, engaging and an excellent chance for the sharing of information by both sides.

“These sessions are a two-way process and today’s was no exception. It was especially interesting to get an understanding of the ECB’s governance structure with its 12 directors, including a non-executive component, representing all areas of the game within its constituency.

“Our discussions illustrated the challenges faced by all administrators within cricket, to maintain the current strength of our great sport with its great spirit, and they highlighted that we are all charged with the same responsibility, to lead the game forward.

“I’m grateful to ECB chairman Giles Clarke and David Collier, the chief executive, as well as their fellow ECB directors for affording Clive and myself the time to meet with them and I feel sure the exercise can only enhance our already strong working relationship.”

Clive Lloyd said: “We had an interesting discussion with the ECB and we believe that these visits are important for the stakeholders in the ICC to understand the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“We are totally committed to this process and I believe that it gives the members knowledge of what the ICC does, how it does it and where the funds are distributed. I thank the ECB for their time in a hectic part of their season.”