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Speed calls on ex-stars

AFP, Sydney
Former world cricket chief Malcolm Speed has called for more retired top players to be involved in running the game and has downplayed fears of an Indian takeover of the sport.
In an interview in Friday's Sydney Morning Herald, Speed, who stepped down from his post in April, two months ahead of schedule, said there were not enough former top players represented on the International Cricket Council board.
"(Sri Lanka's) Arjuna Ranatunga is a welcome addition. It would be great to see (former Australian captain) Mark Taylor on the ICC board at
some stage," the former ICC chief executive said.
"I would like to see a revised board structure with some genuinely independent directors (including women), some former players and three or four directors elected by the ICC members to represent their interests."
But he said that even though a smaller board was needed to improve governance of the game, change was unlikely due to entrenched interests.
"Sixteen directors (including president, vice-president and
CEO) is a large gathering. All countries have agreed to this structure, and it is very unlikely that it will be changed."
Speed also said India's passion for cricket was a unique selling point for the troubled game.
"Cricket is the most popular sport by a factor of about 30 in the second-most populous country in the world," he said.
"This should be seen as a major positive. The game needs to find ways to use that unique selling point. There is too much fear of an Indian takeox er and the power of the Indian administrators."
Speed, whose effigy was burnt in India during his time as ICC chief and who was described by the country's Hindustan Times newspaper as "one of the most disliked men in India," said talk of an "Asian bloc" was not bome out by events.
"In recent years, Australia has been a very close ally of India in major strategic decisions - perhaps its closest ally," Speed said.
"There is a lot of speculation about the "Asian bloc" in cricket This occurs rarely. In the past few years, Australia has been more likely to vote with India than some of the Asian countries.
"India's vote has the same value as Australia's and the other full member countries.
"If there is concern about irresponsible use of power, there are processes in place to deal with this, and the other countries should take firm positions and make them clear."