The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket’s membership with immediate effect, citing continued governance failures and actions that jeopardized cricket’s reputation and Olympic ambitions in the United States.
The decision was made during a recent ICC Board meeting, following a year-long review and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. Despite the suspension, USA’s national teams will remain eligible to participate in ICC events, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).
ICC cites governance failures and reputational damage
The ICC identified multiple breaches of its Constitution by USA Cricket, including:
- Failure to implement a functional governance structure
- Lack of progress toward National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
- Actions causing reputational damage to cricket in the U.S. and globally
“This is an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game,” the ICC noted in its statement issued on 23 September.
ICC assumes control to safeguard athlete interests
The ICC and/or designated representatives will temporarily oversee the management and administration of USA’s national teams. This interim measure is designed to ensure continuity of support for athletes and progress toward Olympic inclusion is not derailed.
The ICC confirmed its commitment to maintaining a High-performance & Player Development Program aimed at enhancing the capabilities of players representing the U.S. on the international stage.
Normalization Committee to guide USA Cricket’s return
The ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by ICC management, will develop a roadmap for USA Cricket to regain its membership. This process will involve:
- Specific and demonstrable changes to governance and operations
- Ongoing monitoring and consultative support
- Compliance with ICC Membership Criteria
The ICC emphasized that restoring USA Cricket’s membership depends on concrete reforms and accountability.
Background: A timeline of warnings and missed opportunities
At the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting, USA Cricket was formally placed “on notice” for non-compliance with membership requirements and given 12 months to address deficiencies.
Although USA Cricket made representations to the ICC Normalisation Committee and received temporary reprieve after new commitments in July, it ultimately failed to deliver the promised reforms. In written communication, the ICC had instructed USA Cricket to:
- Avoid any action or inaction that could jeopardize cricket’s Olympic inclusion
- Refrain from any behavior that brings the ICC or the sport into disrepute
With continued non-compliance, the ICC enacted the suspension before the originally scheduled review at the 2025 AGM.
The ICC reiterated its long-term commitment to growing cricket in the U.S. and protecting the interests of its athletes, especially as cricket prepares for its Olympic return at LA28.
ICC suspends USA Cricket’s membership
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially suspended USA Cricket’s membership effective immediately, following ongoing governance issues and reputational harm that risked cricket’s Olympic ambitions in the United States.
The suspension, announced in a media statement on 23 September, comes after a year of review and engagement with stakeholders. Despite the decision, the ICC confirmed that USA’s national teams will remain eligible to compete in ICC events, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).
Key reasons behind the ICC suspension
The ICC Board determined that USA Cricket had repeatedly violated its obligations under the ICC Constitution. Specific issues cited include:
- Failure to implement a functional governance structure
- Lack of progress toward National Governing Body (NGB) recognition by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
- Actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket both in the U.S. and internationally
The ICC emphasized the move was “an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game.”
Safeguards in place for athletes and Olympic inclusion
To mitigate disruption for athletes, the ICC and/or its designated representatives will temporarily oversee the management of USA national teams. This interim structure is designed to:
- Ensure continued support for USA players
- Protect momentum toward cricket’s Olympic debut at LA28
- Maintain the High-performance & Player Development Program
This reflects the ICC’s commitment to athlete welfare and the long-term growth of cricket in the United States.
ICC Normalisation Committee to lead recovery plan
The ICC Normalisation Committee, backed by ICC management, will outline the reforms required for reinstating USA Cricket’s membership. These include:
- Demonstrable improvements in governance structure
- Operational and strategic compliance with ICC membership criteria
- Consultative oversight and periodic progress assessments
Only upon meeting these benchmarks will USA Cricket regain full membership rights.
Timeline: From ‘on notice’ to suspension
USA Cricket was placed “on notice” at the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting due to non-compliance with membership criteria. A 12-month window was granted to address deficiencies.
In July, USA Cricket made representations and commitments to the ICC Board, resulting in a temporary reprieve. However, those promises were not fulfilled. The ICC had specifically warned that USA Cricket must:
- Avoid any action or inaction that could jeopardize cricket’s Olympic inclusion
- Not bring the ICC or the sport into disrepute
Due to continued non-compliance, the ICC acted ahead of the expected 2025 AGM timeline and formally suspended USA Cricket’s membership.
While the suspension reflects significant organizational challenges, the ICC’s intervention aims to preserve athlete pathways, protect Olympic ambitions, and restore credibility to U.S. cricket governance.
