ICC/Leadership

ICC Leadership

37 leaders who shaped cricket governance

Presidents & Chairmen

Jay Shah

India | 2024-present

Jay Shah, the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, became ICC chairman in December 2024 after serving as BCCI secretary. He is the youngest person to chair the ICC. His appointment came after Greg Barclay chose not to seek a third term. Shah had been instrumental in expanding the IPL and growing BCCI's commercial revenues. His tenure is expected to focus on cricket's Olympic debut and the expansion of the sport's global footprint.

Imran Khwaja

Singapore | 2020 (interim)

Imran Khwaja, a Singaporean lawyer of Pakistani descent, served as interim ICC chairman in 2020 following Shashank Manohar's resignation. He had been the ICC deputy chairman and was a longtime figure in associate member cricket governance. He steered the organization during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greg Barclay

New Zealand | 2020-2024

Greg Barclay, a New Zealand commercial lawyer and chairman of New Zealand Cricket, was elected ICC chairman in November 2020. He led the organization through the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on expanding cricket's global footprint, including the push for Olympic inclusion. He oversaw cricket's successful bid for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Shashank Manohar

India | 2016-2020

Shashank Manohar, a senior Indian lawyer and former BCCI president, became ICC chairman in 2016 and immediately set about dismantling the Big Three model his predecessor had created. In a remarkable move, he voluntarily reduced India's revenue share to create a more equitable distribution model. He was the first independent ICC chairman, not representing any individual board.

Zaheer Abbas

Pakistan | 2015-2016

Zaheer Abbas, one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen known as the 'Asian Bradman,' served a brief term as ICC president. Famous for his elegant stroke play and prolific run-scoring, particularly against India, he brought cricketing credibility to the role but had limited administrative impact during his short tenure.

N. Srinivasan

India | 2014-2015

Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the India Cements chairman and former BCCI president, became the first chairman of the ICC under the new governance model. His tenure was the most controversial in ICC history, as he was a central figure in the Big Three restructuring that gave India, England, and Australia outsized control over world cricket's finances and governance. He faced a conflict of interest as he owned the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL while heading the BCCI.

Mustafa Kamal

Bangladesh | 2014-2015

Mustafa Kamal, a Bangladeshi politician and businessman, served as ICC president during a turbulent period. He became a vocal critic of the ICC's governance under the Big Three model and dramatically fell out with the organization, refusing to present the trophy at the 2015 Cricket World Cup final.

Alan Isaac

New Zealand | 2012-2014

Alan Isaac, a New Zealand chartered accountant and former chairman of New Zealand Cricket, served as ICC president during a period of significant structural change. His tenure saw the controversial 'Big Three' restructuring that concentrated power and revenue with India, England, and Australia.

Sharad Pawar

India | 2010-2012

Sharad Pawar, a prominent Indian politician and president of the BCCI, served as ICC president during a period of India's growing dominance in cricket's financial landscape. A veteran politician who served as India's Agriculture Minister and was a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party, he brought political heft to the ICC presidency.

David Morgan

Wales/England | 2008-2010

David Morgan, a Welsh businessman and former chairman of the ECB, served as ICC president during a tumultuous period that included the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009. He worked to maintain international cricket's unity and security in the aftermath of this shocking event.

Percy Sonn

South Africa | 2006-2007

Percy Sonn was a South African lawyer and cricket administrator who became ICC president in 2006. Tragically, his tenure was cut short by his death in 2007 due to a heart attack. As a colored South African who had fought against apartheid in sport, his appointment was symbolically significant. He was committed to transformation in cricket and expanding the game in Africa.

Ehsan Mani

Pakistan | 2003-2006

Ehsan Mani, a Pakistani banker and cricket administrator, served as ICC president during a period of significant governance reform. He oversaw the relocation of ICC headquarters from Monaco to Dubai and pushed for greater professionalization of the organization. His financial expertise helped stabilize the ICC's commercial operations.

Malcolm Gray

Australia | 2000-2003

Malcolm Gray, a former chairman of Cricket Australia, succeeded Jagmohan Dalmiya as ICC president. His tenure was dominated by the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal and the need to establish robust anti-corruption measures. He oversaw the creation of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and the controversial 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Jagmohan Dalmiya

India | 1997-2000

Jagmohan Dalmiya was a transformative figure in cricket administration. A Kolkata businessman, he became the first ICC president from the Indian subcontinent and is widely credited with revolutionizing cricket's commercial landscape. His vision of cricket as a major revenue-generating sport, particularly through television rights, changed the financial dynamics of the game forever. He successfully brought the 1996 World Cup to the subcontinent, proving that major events could be hosted outside traditional cricketing nations.

Sir Clyde Walcott

West Indies | 1993-1997

Sir Clyde Walcott, one of the famous 'Three Ws' of West Indian cricket alongside Frank Worrell and Everton Weekes, became the first non-English, non-Australian chairman of the ICC. His appointment was a landmark moment in cricket's governance, reflecting the sport's growing diversity. He oversaw significant expansion of international cricket and the early stages of commercialization.

Lord Colin Cowdrey

England | 1989-1993

Colin Cowdrey, one of England's finest batsmen with 114 Test caps, became the first chairman of the newly renamed International Cricket Council in 1989. His tenure marked the transition of the ICC from a loose association of cricket boards into a more formal governing body. He presided over the historic readmission of South Africa to international cricket following the end of apartheid.

Sir Donald Bradman

Australia | 1969-1972 (Australian representative)

Sir Donald Bradman, universally regarded as the greatest batsman in cricket history with a Test average of 99.94, served as Australia's representative to the ICC and played a significant role in the organization's governance. While not formally ICC president, his enormous stature in the cricket world gave him outsized influence on international cricket policy, particularly regarding playing conditions and the future direction of the sport.

Sir George 'Gubby' Allen

England | 1963-1969

Gubby Allen was a former England captain who famously refused to bowl Bodyline during the 1932-33 Ashes tour. As an administrator, he became one of the most powerful figures in English and international cricket. His presidency of the ICC saw the beginning of discussions about broadening the organization's membership and reducing England's dominance, though progress was slow.

Sir Pelham Warner

England | 1938-1945

Sir Pelham 'Plum' Warner was one of English cricket's most influential figures, serving as England captain, selector, administrator, and journalist. He managed the controversial Bodyline tour of 1932-33, though he later distanced himself from the tactics. As ICC president during World War II, he helped maintain the administrative framework of international cricket despite the cessation of play.

Lord Hawke (Martin Bladen Hawke)

England | 1931-1938

Lord Hawke succeeded Lord Harris as president of the Imperial Cricket Conference. A former Yorkshire captain and influential administrator, he continued the patrician tradition of English-dominated cricket governance. He oversaw a period of consolidation for international cricket, though the sport remained largely confined to the British Empire.

Lord Harris (George Robert Canning Harris)

England | 1909-1931

Lord Harris was the founding president of the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909. A former captain of England and Governor of Bombay, he was instrumental in establishing the governing body that would eventually become the ICC. He presided over the formative years of international cricket governance, setting the precedents that would guide the sport for decades. His aristocratic background and colonial connections were emblematic of cricket's early governance structure.

CEOs & Chief Executives

Geoff Allardice

Australia | 2021-present

Geoff Allardice, an Australian administrator who had served as ICC General Manager of Cricket Operations, was appointed CEO in 2021 after serving in an interim capacity following Manu Sawhney's departure. Known for his deep understanding of cricket operations and playing conditions, he has focused on stabilizing the ICC's administration and expanding the sport's global footprint, including the push for Olympic cricket.

Manu Sawhney

India | 2019-2021

Manu Sawhney, a former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and managing director of ESPN Star Sports, was appointed ICC CEO in 2019 but was relieved of his duties in 2021. His tenure was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and internal governance issues that led to his departure.

Dave Richardson

South Africa | 2012-2019

Dave Richardson, a former South African wicketkeeper who played 42 Tests, served as ICC CEO during a period of significant change. A qualified lawyer, he oversaw the controversial Big Three restructuring and its subsequent reversal, the launch of the World Test Championship, and the expansion of the T20 World Cup. He brought both cricketing knowledge and legal expertise to the role.

Haroon Lorgat

South Africa | 2008-2012

Haroon Lorgat, a South African chartered accountant, served as ICC CEO during a period that included the 2009 Lahore terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team, the introduction of the DRS, and the spot-fixing scandal involving Pakistani players. He was a steady administrator who focused on governance reform and expanding the game.

Malcolm Speed

Australia | 2001-2008

Malcolm Speed, a former CEO of Cricket Australia and the Australian Football League, served as ICC CEO during a transformative period. He oversaw the establishment of the ICC's Dubai headquarters, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, and significant governance reforms. He was known for his forthright approach to difficult issues.

David Richards

Australia | 1993-2001

David Richards was the first CEO of the ICC, appointed when the organization professionalized its administration. An Australian administrator, he oversaw the ICC's transition from a part-time body run by the MCC to a full-time professional organization. His tenure saw massive commercial growth in cricket but also the match-fixing scandal that threatened the sport's integrity.

Notable Match Referees

David Boon

Australia | 2011-present

David Boon, the mustachioed Australian batsman who played 107 Tests and was famous for his toughness and determination, became an ICC match referee after retiring from playing. He is a member of the ICC Elite Panel and has officiated in numerous high-profile matches. He is also known for his record of consuming 52 cans of beer on a flight from Sydney to London.

Richie Richardson

West Indies | 2008-present

Richie Richardson, the elegant former West Indian captain famous for his maroon wide-brimmed sunhat, became an ICC match referee after his playing career. Known for his calm temperament as a player, he brought the same composure to officiating. He has been a member of the ICC Elite Panel of match referees.

Andy Pycroft

Zimbabwe | 2006-present

Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwe captain who played in the country's inaugural Test match in 1992, has served on the ICC Elite Panel of match referees. He brought the perspective of a smaller cricket nation to the role and has been a respected figure in match officiating.

Jeff Crowe

New Zealand | 2004-2014

Jeff Crowe, a former New Zealand captain and brother of Martin Crowe, served as an ICC match referee and was part of the Elite Panel. He was match referee during the infamous 2009 Lahore attack, surviving alongside Chris Broad. He also served as ICC General Manager of Cricket Operations.

Chris Broad

England | 2003-present

Chris Broad, a former England opening batsman who won the Player of the Series in the 1986-87 Ashes, became an ICC match referee and later an ICC Elite Panel match referee. He was present as match referee during the 2009 Lahore terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team and showed remarkable courage in the aftermath. He is the father of England cricketer Stuart Broad.

Clive Lloyd

West Indies | 2002-2006

Clive Lloyd, the legendary West Indian captain who led the Caribbean side to two World Cup victories and oversaw the era of fearsome fast bowling, served as an ICC match referee. His immense stature in the game commanded respect from players and officials alike. He was also ICC match referee panel chairman.

Mike Denness

England/Scotland | 1999-2002

Mike Denness, a former England captain born in Scotland, became one of the most controversial match referees in ICC history due to his handling of the 2001 India vs South Africa Test series in South Africa. His decisions led to a diplomatic crisis between the ICC and the BCCI and raised fundamental questions about the power dynamics in international cricket.

Ranjan Madugalle

Sri Lanka | 1993-present

Ranjan Madugalle, a former Sri Lankan captain, is the most experienced and longest-serving match referee in ICC history. He has overseen more than 200 international matches and has been the ICC's chief match referee. Known for his calm demeanor and fair approach, he has earned widespread respect from players and administrators across the cricket world.