An inside look at the ICC: Governing the global stage of cricket

Cricket fans and bettors around the world are eagerly anticipating the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

As the global governing body of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has a significant impact on the sport's direction and development worldwide.

This article explores the ICC's role in shaping cricket's global stage, including the events and tournaments scheduled for 2024. Readers also will receive guidance on online cricket betting and how to easily bet on ICC 2024 matches from anywhere.

What does ICC stand for?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for cricket. It is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sport, including setting rules and regulations, organising tournaments, and promoting cricket worldwide. Established in 1909, the organisation currently has 108 member nations, comprising 12 Full Members who play Test matches, and 96 Associate Members.

Functions of the ICC

• The ICC is responsible for organising all major international cricket tournaments, such as the Cricket World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the ICC World Test Championship.
• The ICC selects umpires and referees to officiate in sanctioned Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
• To ensure fair play, the ICC implements the ICC Code of Conduct,  which defines professional conduct for players and outlines disciplinary actions.  In addition, the ICC has an Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) that combats corruption and ensures maximum security to maintain the integrity of the sport.
• The ICC also monitors playing conditions and the Decision Review System (DRS) to ensure fair play.

The ICC is dedicated to promoting and developing cricket at all levels, through regional events and the iconic Cricket World Cup.

2024 ICC events and tournaments

The cricket season has arrived, bringing with it the excitement of live ICC matches. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the ninth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States from 1 June to 29 June 2024. This event is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time that ICC World Cup matches will be played in the United States, thus expanding the tournament's global reach.

With England as the defending champions, the tournament will feature 20 teams, a notable increase from the previous 16 teams in 2022. Alongside the host nations and top-ranked teams, countries such as Canada, Uganda, and the United States will also make their debut appearances.

Later this year, Bangladesh will host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in September and October. In addition, regional tournaments such as the East Asia Pacific (EAP) events will host competitions for their associate members to aid in their development and potential qualification for major ICC tournaments.

Betting on Live ICC Cricket 2024

Watching ICC Cricket Live can enhance the fun of betting on it and help make smarter bets on real-time action. Follow this step-by-step guide to betting on ICC cricket games in 2024:

1. Begin by selecting a reputable platform, such as Odds96, which is one of the top India bet cricket platforms with a strong track record in ICC Cricket.
2. To make informed betting decisions, it is important to analyse each team's strengths, weaknesses, recent performances, player form, injuries, and previous records. Comprehensive research can provide valuable insights.
3. It is also important to understand cricket odds, which represent the probability of an event occurring during a match. Higher odds indicate a less likely outcome but a potentially larger payout.
4. While watching the live cricket match, you can place bets on various activities such as predicting the winning team, the highest run scorer, or the team that takes the next wicket. Take advantage of live betting opportunities during matches to adjust your bets based on in-game activities and changes.
5. It is important to bet responsibly and view it as entertainment rather than a guaranteed path to riches. Remember to set a budget and stick to it!

Cricket's future under ICC governance

The future of cricket looks promising under the leadership of the current president, Greg Barclay (2020 - present). With the continuous advancements in technology, such as sensor balls and hawk eyes, cricket is expected to become more engaging and accessible to fans worldwide.

Moreover, the council aims to expand cricket's fan base beyond countries where the sport is already popular, such as India and Pakistan. The council aims to expand the sport's reach by targeting untapped markets such as the USA, as demonstrated by the upcoming co-hosting of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Additionally, the council prioritises maintaining the popularity of all three cricket formats. This is because while Test cricket may not appeal to younger audiences who prefer the faster pace of T20 games, T20 games may overshadow the strategic aspects of longer matches. Therefore, the ICC must strike a balance between these formats by experimenting with new strategies, such as shorter Test matches or modifying ODI rules to align with fan preferences, while preserving the essence of each format.

In general, the ICC is investigating ways to host more global tournaments and events, which will attract more fans and increase its global presence.