Irish succeeds Marsh at FICA

News

Cricket365
June 27, 2014

South African Tony Irish will succeed the outgoing Paul Marsh as the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations executive chairman.

Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams was reappointed president at the association's annual general meeting.

Irish, the current CEO of the SA Cricketers' Association (Saca), would continue to operate in this capacity alongside his new role, which would involve him being Fica's main spokesman.

"Tony has been a tremendous advocate for players for many years at Saca and with Fica. He is a strong and respected leader who will ensure our member associations and their players continue to be passionately represented," said the outgoing chairman.

"We've seen in recent days significant changes at ICC level, which represent a new era in terms of the administration and leadership of world cricket. Fica's position on this is well known. Our strong preference was for the controversy involving Mr Srinivasan in India to be resolved before the ICC made a decision on the chairmanship.

"While it's disappointing that this did not occur, we can't let this distract Fica from its responsibility of helping shape cricket's future."

Irish paid tribute to Marsh, the son of former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, and said he had done a terrific job as the head of Fica.

"Paul has been an outstanding leader in the role of player advocacy. For 13 years with the ACA (Australia Cricketers' Association) and nine with Fica, he has been a voice of clarity. His forthright and steadfast approach has ensured players worldwide have been strongly supported and well informed. We thank him sincerely for his contribution and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

"The cricket landscape is an evolving one, with challenges and opportunities on many fronts. Now, more than ever, it is critical that the voice of the players is heard. Fica is committed to contributing effectively to the game."

A new Player Advisory Group was endorsed at the AGM which would bring together a selection of key active cricketers from around the globe to provide input and direction to Fica, and a direct line from the playing field to the boardroom.

The composition of the group would be announced in the coming weeks and the head of this committee would also join the Fica board.

There was capacity to appoint an additional two independent members to the board.