THE embattled USA Cricket (USAC) has been handed a breather for three months while a hybrid model of selection will determine teams that will play in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The all-powerful ICC Board, which met in Singapore on Saturday (July 19), decided to grant more time to USAC, which has come under fire over governance issues. So much so, the situation has gone to the point where the US cricket body has fallen afoul the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the country’s apex Olympic body. Having been on notice by the ICC for nearly a year – it was put on notice at the last annual conference of the ICC in July 2024 – USAC was required to set its house in order. However, the Normalisation Committee, which visited the United States last month, is understood to be not too impressed with the progress made. In any other instance, the ICC might have taken the next logical step of suspending the member. However, the USAC appears to be benefitting from the extraordinary scenario of the country hosting the upcoming Olympic Games. Given the sensitive nature of the situation, the Jay Shah-led ICC has granted the body a three-month reprieve – a decision taken by the ICC Board on Saturday, according to those attending the annual conference currently in Singapore. However, the irony of the situation is hard to miss here. The US men’s and women’s teams are expected to receive automatic qualification for the Olympic Games, but who will select those teams remains a major dilemma before world and local cricket administrators. Whether USAC – should it meet the governance requirements within the next three months – will be allowed to select the teams by the USOPC is a point to ponder. Meanwhile, it is understood that the ICC has decided to adopt a hybrid model for the LA28 qualification pathway – meaning some teams will qualify based on ICC T20 rankings, while others will have to compete in a qualifier. India, by virtue of being the No. 1 T20 team, is expected to earn automatic qualification whatever be the cut-off time for the ranking. The ICC Board also constituted a working group to make recommendations on the structure of all three formats of the game, with details expected to be announced on Sunday, the final day of the Singapore conclave. (Cricbuzz)