CRICKET: ICC pledges to fund US national team players ahead of T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has committed to funding United States national team players to ensure they can continue preparing for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, despite the ongoing governance and financial crisis affecting the country’s governing body.

In September, the ICC suspended USA Cricket (USAC), citing its failure to establish a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward recognition by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and actions that caused reputational damage to the sport both in the United States and globally.

Despite the suspension, U.S. national teams have retained their right to compete in ICC events and continue preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The ICC said on Monday that it is prepared to honor USAC’s obligations to its contracted players and will provide funding for its performance program while the suspension remains in place.

“The ICC will not allow the dysfunction of USAC to compromise the United States’ participation and competitiveness at global events, or the ICC’s work in ensuring cricket’s return to the Olympics,” the governing body said in a statement.

USAC, which has filed for bankruptcy, had earlier rejected the ICC’s offer to provide funding through a loan arrangement that would have required the payment of player and staff salaries.

The United States is scheduled to compete in next year’s men’s T20 World Cup, which begins in February. -Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters