The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a significant announcement regarding the hosting of the Youth Cricket World Cup, altering the plans for the West Indies Under-19 cricket team.
The ICC disclosed that Sri Lanka, originally designated as the host for the upcoming Youth Cricket World Cup, will no longer hold the event. The decision was made unanimously by ICC directors due to the provisional suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The suspension arose from government interference in the organization’s operations, with the Sri Lankan Minister of Sport, Roshan Ranasinghe, dismissing incumbent directors and appointing an interim committee.
Minister Ranasinghe’s actions were driven by disputes between SLC officials and allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the organization. The move to replace the incumbent directors came following the underwhelming performance of the national team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 held in India.
Temporary injunction and ICC’s decision
SLC officials sought and obtained a temporary injunction against the removal of the incumbent directors from the Sri Lanka Court of Appeal. After considering representations from SLC, the ICC Board decided that Sri Lanka could continue to participate in international cricket, both bilateral and ICC events. However, the ICC will assume control over funding to SLC. The ICC Board further confirmed that Sri Lanka will no longer host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, with South Africa selected as the new host.
The decision has implications for the West Indies Under-19 cricket team, which was one of the 16 teams gearing up for the Youth World Cup. They were placed in Group B alongside England, Scotland, and Sri Lanka, the original host. The team had previously prepared for the conditions in Colombo in August-September. Now, the selectors, Cricket West Indies (CWI), and team officials must adapt to the change in hosting, with South Africa set to stage the matches in cities like Benoni, Potchefstroom, Kimberley, and Bloemfontein.
West Indies Under-19s won the Youth Cricket World Cup once, under the leadership of Shimron Hetmyer and coach Graeme West, seven years ago in Bangladesh. The squad featured notable players like Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Chemar Holder, and Keacy Carty, and they clinched victory against India Under-19s, who boasted players such as Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar. Now, the team faces the challenge of adapting to the new host country, South Africa, in their pursuit of success in the upcoming tournament.
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