USA suspended for a second time

The ICC has suspended the USA from international competition for its failure to adopt a new constitution and hold elections before the deadline given.

It is the second times the USA have been suspended after they were excluded in 2005 for election and team selection problems.

“It gives the ICC Board no pleasure to re-enact this suspension but given the lack of progress towards a functioning administration of USA Cricket it has been left with little alternative,” announced ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed.

“It is especially disappointing that the USA players have had to be penalised in this way for matters that are largely beyond their control.

“The ICC recognises that the USA has vast potential as a cricketing nation but without a functioning administration that potential is likely to remain largely untapped.

“The ICC hopes this measure will serve to focus minds within cricketing circles in the USA, that sense will prevail and that all those with the good of the game at heart will come together and take control of this unfortunate situation.”

The suspension takes effect immediately and will mean the USA cricket team will miss out on the World Cricket League Division 3, held in Australia later this year as well as their annual grant from the ICC.