ICC gives T20I status to Nepal, Netherlands

Agencies Melbourne, June 28 In a major boost to cricket in Nepal and the Netherlands, the International Cricket Council has given the associate nations twenty-twenty international status. A decision to grant the status to both the nations was taken in the ICC Annual Conference week which concluded in Melbourne today. "The ICC Board agreed to give T20I status to the Netherlands and Nepal, both of which qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014. This means there are now eight Associate sides with T20I status," the ICC said in a release. Other key ICC recommendations: -International venues must be set up to their maximum possible boundary dimensions, as per the playing conditions, to help maintain an appropriate balance between bat and the ball.-A bowler who has spent time off the field in a Test will be allowed to resume bowling after he has either spent the same period of time on the field as he spent off the field, or he has been back on the field for 30 overs, whichever occurs first. - A T20I innings will be scheduled to span 85 minutes, instead of 80 minutes. - The trial regulation allowing an 80-over top-up of unsuccessful DRS player reviews will be extended for another 12 months. Earlier on Thursday, the ICC Board had confirmed that the USA Cricket Association (USACA) was the ICC's recognised member in the USA and approved the Development Committee's recommendation that Oman Cricket (OC) should become the 38th Associate Member of the ICC. It also confirmed the suspension of the Affiliate Membership of Brunei and removal of Tonga as an Affiliate Member. The ICC Board, which consists of the nominated representatives of each of the ten full Members plus three elected Associate Member representatives, also confirmed that the USA Cricket Association (USACA) was the ICC's recognised member in the USA and approved the Development Committee's recommendation that Oman Cricket (OC) should become the 38th Associate Member of the ICC. It also confirmed the suspension of the Affiliate Membership of Brunei and removal of Tonga as an Affiliate Member.