Jay Shah to Replace Greg Barclay as ICC Chairman. The BCCI secretary is poised to be appointed as the new ICC Chairman, succeeding Greg Barclay. Barclay has announced his decision to step down from the role at the end of his tenure in November. This upcoming transition marks a significant shift in leadership within the International Cricket Council, with the BCCI secretary set to take on the influential position in global cricket governance.
Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is poised to succeed Greg Barclay as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). During a video conference, Barclay informed ICC directors, including Cricket Australia’s chair Mike Baird, of his decision not to seek a third term.
This announcement follows the revelation of Jay Shah’s intention to take over the role starting in November. With strong support from cricket boards in England and Australia, Shah is well-positioned to assume the chairmanship. His anticipated appointment reflects a significant shift in ICC leadership, marking a new chapter in the governance of international cricket.
Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997 to 2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010 to 2012) served as presidents of the International Cricket Council (ICC), while N Srinivasan (2014 to 2015) and Shashank Manohar (2015 to 2020) held the role of chairman. These four Indian leaders have previously guided the ICC’s governance. Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, is set to become the third Indian to assume the chairman position.
The appointment of Jay Shah effective from November, marks a significant moment in ICC history, continuing the tradition of Indian leadership within the organization. Shah’s anticipated role underscores the growing influence of Indian cricket on the global stage and reflects the strategic backing he has received from prominent cricket boards worldwide.
Greg Barclay, the chair of the ICC, informed the board that he will not seek a third term and will resign from his position once his current term concludes in November. Barclay was named as the independent ICC chair in November 2020, and then re-elected in 2022,” an ICC spokesperson informed The Age.
The present board members must submit nominations for the upcoming chairperson by 27 August 2024, and if multiple candidates emerge, a vote will be conducted with the new chair beginning their term on 1 December 2024.
According to ICC regulations, the chairman’s election involves 16 votes, with the winning candidate now needing a simple majority of nine votes (51%). Previously, in order to be elected as the chairman, the current officeholder had to secure two-thirds of the votes.
Jay Shah enjoys significant support from the majority of the 16 voting ICC members. Currently serving as the BCCI secretary, he has one year remaining in this role before he must enter a three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025. This cooling-off period will require him to step away from official cricket administration roles, but Shah’s upcoming transition to the ICC chairman position will likely be seamless due to his strong backing.
According to the BCCI constitution authorized by the Supreme Court, an office bearer can serve for six years before being required to take a three-year cooling off period. Altogether, an individual can serve a total of 18 years in office – nine years in a state association and nine years in BCCI.
If Jay Shah transitions to the ICC before his term as BCCI secretary concludes, he will still have one year remaining in his current role. This move would leave him with four years of tenure at the ICC.