Manohar agrees to stay on as ICC chief

The 59-year-old will continue in the post until administrative reforms of the governing body is complete

DHARAMSALA: Shashank Manohar has deferred his resignation as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will continue in the post until administrative reforms of the governing body is complete, the ICC said on Friday.

Manohar resigned earlier this month, citing personal reasons, having been elected unopposed on a two-year term as the ICC's first independent chairman in May last year.

The ICC said its board requested Manohar to withdraw his resignation or at least defer it to complete reforms that would curtail the influence India, England and Australia currently wield over the game's finances and administration.

"Although my decision to depart was due to personal reasons and it has not changed, I am willing to continue as chairman till the responsibility as per the resolution is complete," the former Indian cricket board (BCCI) chief said.

"I have duty to work with my colleagues to enable a smooth transition and continue our work on the governance of the ICC."

India, Australia and Bangladesh cricket boards hailed Manohar's decision to see through the reforms he had initiated.

"We all believe that Shashank should be the man to see it through and whilst respectful of a decision made for personal reasons, we are delighted that he has agreed to remain in post until the completion of the 2017 Annual Conference where we can elect a successor," Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said in an ICC statement.