In a decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the suspension of USA Cricket on September 23, 2025, citing “repeated and continued breaches” of its membership obligations. The move comes at a crucial time for cricket in America, with just three years remaining until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is set to make its return to the Olympic stage.
Why USA Cricket Was Suspended
The ICC’s action is rooted in three core concerns:
- Governance Failures – USA Cricket has struggled to establish a fully functional governance structure.
- Lack of USOPC Recognition – The body has made insufficient progress toward gaining recognition as cricket’s National Governing Body from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
- Reputational Damage – Certain decisions and actions by USA Cricket have negatively impacted the sport’s image both domestically and internationally.
This suspension was preceded by a formal notice issued in July 2024, giving USA Cricket a 12-month window to address compliance issues. With the organization failing to make satisfactory progress, the ICC Board moved to suspend the body during its 2025 Annual General Meeting.
ICC Membership Requirements
ICC members are expected to maintain sound governance, adhere to ICC statutes, and for U.S. cricket, make credible strides toward Olympic pathway compliance via USOPC recognition.
Ironically, USA Cricket’s own constitution mandates NGB recognition and compliance with the US Sports Act, including managerial competence, fair elections, athlete representation, and financial transparency. The organization’s repeated failure to meet these self-imposed standards ultimately led to suspension.
What This Means for Players
The ICC has ensured that the suspension does not affect players. Both the men’s and women’s national teams remain eligible to compete in ICC events and continue preparations for the LA28 Olympics. The ICC will temporarily oversee team management and high-performance programs to safeguard players’ interests during the governance transition.
Roadmap to Reinstatement
There is no fixed timeline for USA Cricket’s return to full membership. The ICC’s Normalisation Committee, led by Jay Shah, has drawn a six-step roadmap requiring:
- Appointment of independent directors to the board
- Stepping down of the current board for fresh elections
- Comprehensive reform of USA Cricket’s constitution
- Progress toward USOPC NGB recognition
- Transparent governance and operational improvements
- Compliance monitoring under ICC oversight
USA Cricket must demonstrate tangible reforms to regain membership, with the ICC providing consultative support throughout the process.
Protecting Cricket’s Future in the U.S.
Despite the suspension, ICC officials emphasize that cricket’s presence in the 2028 Olympics and the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 will remain unaffected. ICC Secretary expressed that the decision, while “unfortunate,” was necessary to safeguard the long-term interests of the sport.
The suspension marks a significant reset for cricket administration in the U.S., aiming to restore governance integrity and secure a stronger global footprint ahead of the Olympic spotlight.
The ICC’s decisive action underscores the importance of professional governance in emerging cricket markets. For USA Cricket, it’s now a chance to rebuild credibility, streamline administration, and ensure players are supported. The eyes of the cricketing world will closely monitor whether the U.S. can emerge as a credible contender on the Olympic stage and beyond.