COLOMBO — Former Indian captain Anil Kumble was Thursday appointed head of the influential “cricket committee” of the International Cricket Council (ICC), replacing West Indian legend Clive Lloyd. 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, where the West Indies won the World Twenty20 tournament that concluded Sunday. “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”. Andrew Strauss, who retired as England captain earlier this year in the wake of a row involving batsman Kevin Pietersen sending critical text messages to their South African opponents, was also appointed to the committee. The 35-year-old, who had been expected to return to the game in a political capacity, replaces former West Indies pace bowler Ian Bishop, who did not seek an extension to his term. The 16-member committee meets twice a year to consult on playing matters and offer recommendations to the ICC on technical aspects and rules of the sport. The 41-year-old Kumble also heads the Indian cricket board's technical committee. “I would like to thank Clive Lloyd for his chairmanship of the ICC cricket committee and to his tireless contribution to the game,” Isaac said in a statement. “The ICC board were united in their admiration for his work as chairman. We also thank Ian Bishop for his contribution during his term as well. “I am sure that he will carry on Clive's good work and bring contemporary thinking to the committee and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game.” — Agencies
