Two weeks ago, I said that “every so often cricket’s fabric is subject to transformational tremor. We may be on the brink of another one.”

This was based on the World Cricketers’ Association’s comprehensive review of the game’s global structure and its subsequent report. This called for an overhaul of four central pillars of cricket.

It was always going to be the case that the WCA’s call for the first pillar – the game’s governing body, the International Cricket Council – to be “modernised” to “ensure that it is fit for purpose to lead the global game” would raise hackles at the ICC. This was a direct attack on the way that cricket is led. Add to that the WCA’s assault on the principles by which the game’s revenues are unevenly distributed by the ICC at present and not on those based on equity and fairness in growth, then retaliation was inevitable.

The third pillar relating to current scheduling patterns by the ICC was criticized by the WCA for lack of clarity and consistency, with suggestions for improvement provided. Regulation is the fourth pillar on which the WCA called for greater levels of financial accountability within the ICC.   

These criticisms of the ICC are not new. In 2012, an independent governance review of the ICC, headed by Lord Woolf, called for sweeping changes in the administration of cricket and the functioning of its governing body. Woolf recommended a restructuring of the ICC’s executive board to make it more independent and less dominated by the bigger countries. He also called for measures to increase transparency in dealings by the ICC and its members.

The recommendations were not binding on the ICC and were not acceptable to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Consequently, the ICC board did not accept them and a major opportunity for reform and equity was missed.

Now that the BCCI is considerably wealthier than it was in 2012 and that its former secretary is the current chair of the ICC, India has an even greater stranglehold on power in world cricket. This it will not relinquish willingly, as has been evident in the brutally dismissive riposte to the WCA.

According to reports in the Times of India, the ICC’s Cricket Executives’ Council discussed the WCA report and recommendations in a recent board meeting in Harare. An anonymous source is widely quoted, revealing that the CEC poured highly critical rejections on both the legitimacy of the WCA and the views it expressed on the game’s structure, governance, financial models and operations. 

The CEC consists of a chair, a representative of each of the 12 ICC full members, three representatives of the 96 associate members and three ex-officio members, each one a chair of other ICC committees, including the ICC chair, Jay Shah. If the comments by the source accurately reflect the CEC, then they are both damning and alarming, not to mention confirmation of what many people believe to be a true reflection of the attitudes and strategies of those who govern the game.

It is understood that the BCCI took the lead in rejecting the WCA recommendations and was backed by other CEC members. This is surprising, but there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. The source is quoted as saying that the WCA is “nothing but a trade union making needless noise” and “clearly does not have the player’s best interests at heart.”

The accusation that the WCA does not have its members’ interests at heart is risible. Player remuneration has long been a bone of contention in cricket. The Packer revolution in Australia in the late 1970s was the start of a long battle to raise player salaries.     

The ICC reacted in affronted fashion to the WCA, saying that “the players can either choose to play in the IPL or side with the WCA. A player represents their cricket board and members of those cricket boards form the ICC.” This summary dismissal of the WCA reeks of feudalism with the players relegated to the role of vassals. This may be the case in India, where the top players are paid so handsomely that they have little need to complain.

Extension of a feudal system to the rest of cricket disrespects the players. I am reminded of John Morrison who, walking out to bat for New Zealand against Australia at Melbourne in December 1973, eyed the full stadium of close to 100,000 people and allegedly remarked to his opening partner that they were not receiving much of the money paid by the spectators. Current professional cricketers are well remunerated, but their labor is worked hard. The WCA and national cricketers’ associations – where they exist – are concerned about workloads and their physical effect on performance and bodies.   

The antipathy displayed by the ICC and BCCI towards the WCA closes the door on any hopes that the WCA may have entertained about the start of a dialogue between the parties. Instead, the antipathy seems designed to quash the burgeoning voice of the WCA and some senior players. Tension is growing between those wielding power and those advocating for global equity and player representation. Another thorn has been scratched into the ICC’s side by the publication of a book on the ICC’s history by Rod Lyall, who simply refers to it as “The Club.” 

It is a fascinating read and details how it has been possible for the BCCI to take control of cricket and the body which is supposed to govern it. In an increasingly autocratic world, is it now too late to effect change to this regime? Reform from within is unlikely.  In theory, member boards can outvote the BCCI, but Indian control of key positions and committees, along with the sport’s finances, makes this a risky strategy.

The current ICC revenue distribution model runs until 2027. Potentially, this offers an opportunity for reshaping, but the BCCI is unlikely to agree to any dilution of its power. In fact, that power could be increased if it chooses to expand the IPL. Checks on BCCI dominance and increased accountability for the ICC can only occur if the rest of the game unites. The ICC’s response to the WCA has shown that any attempt to engage in a battle over cricket’s global governance will be bluntly rebuffed. The WCA-induced tremor was felt but quickly papered over by those in power.

WASHINGTON: Bloodied and bruised, the defending champion Boston Celtics warned NBA rivals who want to intimidate them with a physical style that they are ready to trade blows with anybody.

Jaylen Brown scored 36 points, going 5-of-7 from three-point range, and the host Celtics defeated Orlando 109-100 on Wednesday, seizing a 2-0 lead in an Eastern Conference first round best-of-seven series that continues Friday in Orlando.

The Celtics were without six-time All-Star forward Jason Tatum — their points, rebounds and assists leader — as he missed his first career playoff game after 114 appearances due to a bruised right wrist bone suffered in the series opener.

Boston center Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 points and matched Brown and Al Horford with 10 rebounds despite suffering a bloody forehead gash late in the third quarter when struck in a rebound battle by the left elbow of Orlando center Goga Bitadze, the Georgian opening a cut that required five stitches.

“It was a tough, physical game. Nothing easy on either side. Every rebound is a war and it’s probably going to be that way for the rest of the series,” Porzingis said.

“We’re going to be us. We’re not going to let anybody punk us.”

Latvia’s Porzingis said the Celtics expect a body-banging style from opponents and Boston will be ready to respond in kind.

“We expect teams to be doing this kind of stuff, to get in our heads, try to provoke us, get some reaction out of us,” Porzingis said.

“We weren’t surprised but we’re just not going to take it. We’re going to hit them right back.”

In other games, East top seed Cleveland held off visiting Miami 121-112 as Donovan Mitchell scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and the Cavs took a 2-0 series edge with Game 3 Saturday in Miami.

At Houston, Jalen Green scored 38 points and the host Rockets beat Golden State 109-94 to level their Western Conference series at 1-1 with game three in San Francisco on Saturday.

Golden State lost Jimmy Butler to a pelvis contusion after a severe fall on a first-quarter foul by Houston’s Amen Thompson. An MRI on Thursday will detail the extent of his injury.

Turkiye’s Alperen Sengun added 17 points and 16 rebounds for Houston. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 20 points.

After being knocked to the court, Porzingis rose and went to the locker room for a huge bandage, then returned and shot his free throws before going back to the locker room, returning to the game with 7:15 to play and a smaller bandage.

“This one was just a quick flash, a quick cut, but I saw the amount of blood as soon as I looked at my hand so I knew it was going to be some stitches for sure,” Porzingis said, comparing the action to the violence of pro wrestling.

“I love my ‘WWE’ moments for sure,” Porzingis said. “It just happens in the game. I knew getting hit again, blood again, crowd was going to go with it. It’s cool. It was fine.”

Boston led 81-71 entering the fourth quarter and the Magic got no closer than five points after that.

“We didn’t play up to our level,” Porzingis said. “I expect us to be better going forward.”

Orlando’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope fouled Tatum on the injury play in game one and in game two tripped over Horford. Both players were restrained before the second-quarter incident escalated.

The Celtics were 8-2 in the regular season without Tatum, both losses coming to Orlando.

“We’ve got a lot of talent so it just comes down to being ready,” Brown said. “We came out and were aggressive.”

At Cleveland, the Heat trailed 53-34 in the second quarter but battled back and went on an 11-1 run to pull within 101-99 with 4:25 remaining before Mitchell caught fire late.

“It was one of those ‘superstar takes over game’ situations,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “He hit some big-time shots.”

“Just trying to find my rhythm,” Mitchell said. “My job is just to lead every single night in any way possible. Tonight it was go score.”

Miami’s Tyler Herro scored 33 in a losing cause. Cleveland also had 21 points from Darius Garland and 20 from Evan Mobley.