Former Indian captain Anil Kumble was on Thursday appointed head of the influential 'cricket committee' of the International Cricket Council (ICC), replacing West Indian legend Clive Lloyd. Former England captain, Andrew Strauss, was also appointed to the committee.
The 35-year-old's appointment as one of two past players on the ICC's cricket committee was supported unanimously by the world game's governing body. Strauss has replaced former West Indies pace bowler Ian Bishop, who did not seek an extension to his term. The ICC cricket committee meets periodically to recommend changes to the rules to make the game more balanced and entertaining.
Kumble, 41, is the world's third-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 619 scalps, behind Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708). He also took 337 one-day international wickets. "The ICC Board agreed unanimously to appoint former Indian captain Anil Kumble as the new chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee," the governing body said in a statement. The ICC board took the decision at a meeting in Colombo.
"In Anil Kumble we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association," ICC President Alan Isaac said. He said that Kumble would bring "contemporary thinking to the committee". "I am sure that he will carry on Clive's good work and bring, like Andrew Strauss, contemporary thinking to the committee, and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game."