jay Shah, the ICC Chairperson and former BCCI Secretary, has been inducted into the newly formed World Cricket Connects Advisory Board, an independent group established to address the challenges and opportunities facing global cricket. Shah, who took over as ICC Chair on December 1, 2024, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the cricketing world. His inclusion in the advisory board offers a platform for his ideas to impact the sport on a global scale.
What Is the World Cricket Connects Forum?
The World Cricket Connects Forum, organized by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), serves as a symposium for the sport’s key stakeholders. It aims to bring together the brightest minds, influential voices, and decision-makers from across the cricketing world. The second edition of this event is set to take place at Lord’s on June 7-8, 2025, just ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia.
The forum debuted in 2024, hosting around 120 prominent figures, including cricket administrators, broadcasters, technology experts, and former players, to discuss the sport’s future.
World Cricket Connects Advisory Board
The newly established Advisory Board replaces the MCC’s World Cricket Committee, which had been operational since 2006. The committee previously addressed critical topics, including:
- Day/Night Tests
- The World Test Championship
- The pace of play
- Cricket’s inclusion in multi-sport events like the Olympics
- Anti-corruption measures
The Advisory Board will continue the committee’s legacy while shaping the World Cricket Connects Forum’s agenda. It aims to foster impactful discussions on cricket’s growth and ensure the sport’s sustainability and relevance in the modern era.
Prominent Members of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board features an impressive lineup of leaders, experts, and former cricketers:
- Kumar Sangakkara (Chair, Former Sri Lanka captain, Former MCC President)
- Jay Shah (Chair of ICC)
- Sourav Ganguly (Former India captain, Former BCCI President)
- Heather Knight (England captain)
- Graeme Smith (Former South Africa captain, League Commissioner at SA20)
- Andrew Strauss (Former England captain, Former ECB Director of Cricket)
- Mel Jones (Former Australia international, Current broadcaster)
- Anurag Dahiya (Chief Commercial Officer, ICC)
- Chris Dehring (CEO, West Indies Cricket)
- Sanjog Gupta (CEO- Sports, JioStar)
- Trudy Lindblade (CEO, Cricket Scotland)
- Heath Mills (Executive Chair, World Cricketers’ Association)
- Imtiaz Patel (Former Chair, SuperSport, MultiChoice, DStv)
Statements from MCC
Mark Nicholas, MCC Chair and leader of the World Cricket Connects working group, expressed excitement about the forum’s return to Lord’s, saying:
“We are looking forward to welcoming the game’s most influential figures to debate the critical issues dominating global cricket. The formation of the Advisory Board ensures we maximize the event’s potential for genuine impact.”
Kumar Sangakkara, the Advisory Board’s Chair, added:
“This forum and the Advisory Board represent an exciting opportunity to influence cricket’s direction at a global level. We have a unique chance to address the challenges facing the sport while building on its opportunities.”
The Road Ahead
The World Cricket Connects Advisory Board is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cricket. With the ICC Chair Jay Shah and other prominent figures onboard, the discussions at this year’s forum could significantly influence the sport’s global development, from governance and commercialization to player welfare and technological advancements.