Anil Kumble to head ICC Cricket Committee

MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) board agreed unanimously to appoint former India captain and spin bowler Anil Kumble as ICC Cricket Committee chairman. Kumble, who took 619 Test and 337 One-Day International wickets, succeeds former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd in the role.

The ICC Board also agreed to extend the terms of both Mark Taylor (representing former players) and David Kendix (statisticians) for a further term.

Ian Bishop (representing former players) indicated that he was not seeking an extension to his term and the ICC Board unanimously supported the nomination of former England captain Andrew Strauss as his replacement.

ICC president Alan Isaac said, "In Anil Kumble, we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association. I am sure that he will carry on Clive?s good work and bring, like Andrew Strauss, contemporary thinking to the committee and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game."

The ICC introduced a Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (Tapp) fund of $12 million in January 2012 to help develop more competitive teams at the highest level by targeting the lower ranked full members and higher ranked Associate/Affiliate Members for assistance.

The board had previously received applications and made awards to Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland at their June meeting.

In Colombo the board received applications and agreed to award Netherlands $1.5 million, Zimbabwe $1.5 million and $3 million to the West Indies - all over three years. Cricket Canada also made an application and were asked to resubmit next year.