(Credit AFP)
Geoff Allardice has stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking the end of his four-year tenure in the role. His decision to resign comes just weeks before the Champions Trophy, with Allardice stating he’s looking for new challenges.
Having joined the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket, following his time with Cricket Australia, Allardice became the acting CEO in March 2021 after his predecessor, Manu Sawhney, was suspended. Just eight months later, he was appointed permanently. During his time at the helm, Allardice played a key role in shaping ICC policies, growing the global appeal of cricket, and maintaining the sport’s financial stability.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members,” Allardice said in a statement.
Wish the ICC and global cricket community every success in the future: Geoff Allardice
During his time at the ICC, Allardice led several significant initiatives, such as rolling out the Decision Review System (DRS) across all formats, launching the World Test Championship, and tackling issues around bowling actions to maintain fairness. His tenure as CEO came with its fair share of challenges, particularly navigating the sport through the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among his key achievements, he played a pivotal role in securing cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I’d like to thank the ICC Chair, the board of directors and entire cricket community for their support and collaboration over the past 13 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges. I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead, and I wish the ICC and the global cricket community every success in the future,” he said.
Under Allardice’s leadership, the ICC hosted its first major tournament in the United States during the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, the event faced some criticism over its execution, with calls for an audit of its operations. Recently appointed ICC chair, Jay Shah—who took over from Greg Barclay—acknowledged the significant impact Allardice had on the game during his time as CEO.
“On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chief Executive. His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally. We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors,” Shah said.
The ICC hasn’t yet confirmed whether Allardice will stay on until the Champions Trophy wraps up or if his replacement will be appointed sooner. However, the board has stated that it will begin the search for his successor in the coming weeks. His departure adds to a series of high-profile exits from the ICC’s senior ranks, with key figures like Alex Marshall (head of anti-corruption), Chris Tetley (head of events), and Claire Furlong (general manager of marketing and communications) also stepping down recently.
1 thought on “Geoff Allardice Steps Down as ICC CEO”