The International Cricket Council (ICC) have reportedly delivered a strong message in response to the World Cricket Association’s (WCA) report, which criticised the rise of domestic T20 Leagues and how private ownership is weakening international cricket among many other points. The ICC, in its recent meeting in Zimbabwe, had discussed the WCA report and gave the choice to players that they can choose to play in the Indian Premier League or choose to side with the WCA instead. According to a report by the Times of India, the BCCI had taken a firm stance, which was unanimously backed by the members of the Chief Executive Committee (CEC). “The BCCI took a strong stand in the CEC meet, and it was unanimously backed by the other members of the CEC. The message is clear – the players can either choose to play the IPL or side with the WCA. There seems to be no ambiguity. As far as the share from the gaming rights is concerned, it’s nobody’s business. A player represents their cricket board, and members of those cricket boards form the ICC. Where and how does the WCA come into the picture?” an unnamed source reportedly questioned. The members of the CEC even questioned the existence of the WCA, whether they have the best interests in mind and warned that should the ICC entertain their noise, it could even go on to affect the sport in the distant future. “Who are they? What is the World Cricketers Association? Where have they come from? These are the immediate questions which come to mind. To me, they are nothing but a trade union making needless noise. Clearly, they don’t have the (players) best interests in mind and just want to create distractions. If the ICC reacts (to) or entertains such trade unions mushrooming now and then, then the game will not be in the right space,” an unnamed member of the CEC was quoted as saying. In fact, the WCA, in their report, had called their current revenue model ineffective on a global scale, calling out the fact that the three largest cricketing boards are taking the most revenue, with BCCI taking 38.5 per cent. The report also claims that the chances of actual dialogue between the WCA (formerly known as FICA) do not seem to be likely despite having discussions in the past.