The troubles plaguing USA Cricket (USAC) have intensified following its recent suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In a dramatic turn, six of the nine member leagues have successfully voted to remove League Director Anj Balusu. This decisive action highlights the deep-seated frustration within the American cricket community over persistent boardroom conflicts. Major leagues, including the Southern California Cricket Association, Northern California Cricket Association, Dallas Cricket League, Washington Cricket League, Oregon Cricket League, and New Jersey Softball Cricket League, collectively petitioned for Balusu’s removal. A subsequent recall vote confirmed his ouster, with the ICC duly informed, according to a report by Cricbuzz.
Anj Balusu, a staunch supporter of USAC Chairman Venu Pisike, had previously been part of a faction that pushed back against ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s call for the entire board to resign during a July meeting in Los Angeles. With Balusu’s removal, Pisike’s influence on the board has diminished, leaving it evenly split with four members on each side. This precarious deadlock threatens to paralyze the organization, potentially delaying crucial decisions, such as a forthcoming vote on Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Cricbuzz reports that Chairman Pisike has scheduled a critical board meeting for September 30, with the sole purpose of debating a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. If passed, this measure would result in the liquidation of USAC, effectively dissolving it as a legal entity. However, many view this move as premature, noting that USAC still possesses approximately $250,000 in its accounts. There’s speculation among some stakeholders that the bankruptcy threat is a strategic maneuver designed to compel the ICC into further negotiations.
This development is exceptionally timely, as both the ICC and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) have been actively advocating for all current directors to step aside, paving the way for independent governance reforms. With Balusu now out of the picture, numerous leagues feel that the momentum for these widespread resignations has significantly increased.
The ramifications of this crisis are already impacting the players directly. Many national cricketers, who rely on annual retainers of around $60,000, are now grappling with immense uncertainty. A bankruptcy declaration would jeopardize these contracts, leaving players without essential financial security just months ahead of significant events like the Men’s U19 World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The repercussions are also starkly evident on the field. The USA national team has not competed in a Twenty20 International (T20I) against a full member nation since they last hosted the T20 World Cup over 15 months ago.
According to Cricbuzz, the collective sentiment among stakeholders is clear: the current board must resign and permit comprehensive reforms to be implemented before the sport in the United States incurs irreversible damage.