Momentum is building in world cricket to see Sourav Ganguly as the head of the International Cricket Council. Cricket South Africa cricket director Graeme Smith is the latest voice to call for Ganguly to “get into the role of ICC president”.
Advocating a strong leadership in the ICC, Smith in an online Press conference today said that in the post-Covid scenario “Cricket will need strong leadership and it is time for someone close to the modern game with leadership credentials to get into the position. It is very important to have the right persons as the right person as the head of the ICC.
“The president of the ICC now becomes a very key position in terms of how the game can progress and progress at the right level. It would be great to see a cricket man like Ganguly to get into the role of the ICC president. That will be good for the game. He understands the game, he has played at the highest level and he is respected. That is going to be an interesting time for international and it is going to be a great appointment,” Smith is quoted as saying in a section of media.
“He (Ganguly) has the credibility and leadership. Someone like Ganguly is best positioned for that (the ICC role)… He is got the credibility, leadership and can take the game forward. The elections are coming, there are, of course, few other names in the hat, but in my opinion, someone with modern (perception) for the game should be the candidate,” the former South Africa captain said.
“I have dealt with Sourav in the past and it will be good for the game,” Smith said.
Earlier last week, former England batsman and cricket analyst David Gower had hailed Ganguly as worthy of spearheading sport’s world governing body.
Also read: Gower hails Ganguly as worthy enough to lead ICC
Backing for Ganguly from Cricket South Africa is overwhelming as acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Jacques Faul has echoed sentiments expressed by Smith.
“We have always closely worked with India and it must play a leadership role in the FTP and a responsible one. Our engagements with Sourav has been positive and his willingness to help us. We have checked with the leadership of CSA on if we would support an Indian candidate (as the ICC chief) and and at this stage, we would. From CSA point of view, we don’t see problems in supporting an Indian candidate. But, we need to look who are the others nominated,” Faul said.
ICC president Shashank Manohar, whose present term is coming to an end, has said he will not contest for returning to the elite office of cricket governance. As the world governing body is poised to get a new boss, momentum may see another Indian replacing Manohar as Ganguly’s present term in the BCCI office, unless and otherwise relaxed by the Supreme Court, will last only till July.
The ICC Board is scheduled to meet on May 28 via a teleconference.