ICC chief Haroon Lorgat in an exclusive interview to espnstar.com's Ayanjit Sen says the world governing body wants its member nations to innovate through trials.

Q: What are your plans to develop cricket, especially in countries where there is no star power?
 
Haroon Lorgat: The ICC has a strong and ongoing commitment to developing the game beyond the 10 full members. We recently engaged in an investment programme pumping US$300million into cricket at that level, a figure which is more than any other sport apart from soccer. From next year we will have eight divisions in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League, giving all our 94 Associate and Affiliate Members a pathway towards qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. We are proud of the achievements of the teams outside the top 10 as it reflects the success of our development programme. As you probably know, Ireland has performed very well in recent ICC events, winning the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier and making it through to the last eight at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies and the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England. Netherlands’ victory over England in the WT20 was another example of how the gap between the top sides and the rest is closing. And the progress of Afghanistan is also very encouraging.

Q: How far do you think the Test Championship will popularize the traditional version?
 
HL: The ICC is committed to making sure that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of our great sport. We are always considering ways and means to ensure that Test cricket retains primacy and we are always ready to debate and consider suggestions that are put forward. We recently introduced the umpire decision review system and we are investigating various other initiatives together with our Members to help protect and promote Test cricket. Most of these initiatives, such as day/night Tests, are already in the public domain. The Test Championship will give much needed context to all Test matches regardless of the state of the individual series. The key for us now is to find a workable model that will find favour with all our Test-playing members.

Q: Do you think the T20 format is a threat to the other formats?
 
HL: This is fast becoming an old question often repeated. We have always believed and now it’s well documented that T20 has introduced many new fans to the game. So rather than a threat it has helped to develop the game. In any case, at international level T20 forms a relatively small part of the overall international cricket fixture list. Apart from the ICC World Twenty20 event, international teams play very few T20s.

I believe ODIs still have their place and I also believe Test cricket is strong and remains the pinnacle of the sport. We have seen some great Test series in the past couple of years and we are committed to making sure that the Test cricket format is protected and promoted so that it remains strong.

Q: What is your view of the ECB scrapping of its domestic limited overs tournament from 50 to 40 overs a side?
 
HL: That is a matter for the ECB to decide as they would be best placed to determine what is good for their domestic set-up. In fact, we encourage our members to trial and experiment with different innovations at domestic level in order to improve the game at all levels. But at the moment there are no plans to move away from the 50-over format at international level as it is a very successful format of the game. It is popular among players, supporters, TV viewers, broadcasters and sponsors and it has developed its own identity and history in the 40 or so years it has been going. I was heartened recently by many of the top players coming out in support of the 50-over format. I am confident the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy coming up in South Africa will demonstrate that the 50-over format is still relevant and popular at international level.

Q: Is it a challenge for the ICC with alleged betting surfacing during the Ashes and reports of alleged match-fixing during the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series?
 
HL: The issue of anti-corruption is always a concern and we are always vigilant about these issues. The ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has been enormously effective since it was founded in 2000. At that time there was a real problem with corruption in the sport and now, as Lord Condon (chairman of the ACSU) has acknowledged, it is at an irreducible minimum. That is not to say we can be complacent. There will always be this danger and we must always be vigilant. Fortunately we now have the right educational, preventative and investigative systems in place to ensure the game remains clear of this threat.

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As regards the two incidents you refer to, you need to be clearer. I think you are referring to an approach that was made to an Australia player during the Ashes by someone the player felt was suspicious. In that case, the player did exactly the right thing. He reported the matter to his team management, who in turn informed the ICC. The ACSU then carried out an investigation. I am not aware of any “alleged betting” incident during the Ashes.There have been no reports of alleged match-fixing during the Sri Lanka v Pakistan series. There was concern that some people staying at the players’ hotel may have been regarded as suspicious but, following a full investigation by the ACSU, those reports were unfounded and again the team did the right thing by reporting anything which may have been suspicious to the ICC.

These two incidents show us that our policy and practice of educating all international players about corruption is hitting home. As a result of the education they receive, players realize their responsibilities, they take those responsibilities seriously and they are aware of the potential dangers that exist. They then do the right thing.

Q: It has been a great year for the ICC and in association with ESPN Star Sports, cricket has gone to greater heights with tournaments like the ICC World Twenty20 and the ICC Champions Trophy about to be played. Can you reflect back on that?
 
HL: You are right. I am very pleased and I think 2009 will be remembered as a great year for cricket and the ICC. 2009 started off with various centenary celebrations that have continued throughout the year as we celebrate 100 years of the ICC. We staged the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in South Africa and the ICC World Twenty20 in England and I think it’s fair to say all three of these major events were received extremely well and were tremendously successful.

Now we have one more major event this year with the prestigious eight-team ICC Champions Trophy taking place in South Africa. I know that the cricket-loving people of my country are really looking forward to welcoming the teams there and watching the best players in the world compete for a global honour.

The influence of ESPN STAR Sports is enormous too. We truly appreciate the extra efforts that our broadcast partner goes to in order to produce an innovative package that captivates millions of viewers all over the world.

(This interview was done via email.)

The ICC Champions Trophy is all set to get underway. Have you selected your Super Selector team?