Be lenient... find some time because its India: Exmatch referee reveals politics at ICC

Former England cricketer and match referee Chris Broad has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) instructed him to show leniency towards India regarding over-rate offences during his 21-year tenure as a match referee. Broad, whose contract was not renewed by the ICC in 2024, made these revelations in a recent interview with The Telegraph, where he also discussed the increasing political influence within crickets governing body.

The 68-year-old Broad served as a match referee from 2003 to 2024, overseeing 622 international matches across formats, making him the third-most experienced referee in cricket history. His tenure concluded with a Test match in Colombo in February 2024.

Broad specifically recalled an incident involving Indias over-rate violations, where he received direct instructions from the ICC regarding enforcement. He claimed he was pressured to adjust the timing calculations to benefit India.

I was very happy to carry on. But for 20 years, I dodged a lot of bullets, both politically and physically. I look back and I think, you know, 20 years is quite a long time to be doing that job. Im pleased not to be travelling to certain parts of the world. And I was always someone who believed in right and wrong and in certain parts of the world its a bit like the River Ganges – right and wrong are so far apart and theres a lot of dirty water in between them that you have to deal with, so I think as someone who comes from a right and wrong perspective, to last 20 years in that politically active environment is a pretty good effort.

Detailing the specific incident involving former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, Broad explained: India were three, four overs down at the end of a game so it constituted a fine. I got a phone call saying, be lenient, find some time because its India. And its like, right, OK. So we had to find some time, brought it down below the threshold. The very next game, exactly the same thing happened. He [Sourav Ganguly] didnt listen to any of the hurry-ups and so I phoned and said, what do you want me to do now? and I was told just do him. So there were politics involved, right from the start. A lot of the guys now are either politically more savvy or just keeping the head below the parapet. I dont know.

Broad also addressed the changing dynamics within the ICC, particularly noting the shift after the departure of Vince van der Bijl, the former ICC umpires manager. He expressed concerns about the organisations current state and Indias increasing influence.

I think we were supported by Vince van der Bijl while he was in position because he came from a cricketing background but, once he left, the management became a lot weaker. India got all the money and have now taken over the ICC so in many ways. Im pleased Im not around because its a much more political position now than it ever has been.

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