There has been significant changes from original proposal: CSA

Singapore: Cricket South Africa, originally not in favour of ICC`s structural revamp, welcomed the agreement reached on Saturday in Singapore terming it as "significantly different" to the original proposals tabled in January.

"Nothing in life is perfect. All countries, including the so-called big three (India, England and Australia) have had to rethink and make concessions and the final terms that were approved today include significant changes from the original proposals," CSA president Chris Nenzani was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the CSA. "It was key that we remain engaged and an absolute imperative that we should preserve the financial stability of the game over the next eight-year cycle from 2015 to 2023. Not only have we managed to do this but we have created the opportunity for current Associate Members to aspire to play Test cricket ? the game`s highest form," Nenzani further added. As per the new agreement, the winner of the next ICC Inter-Continental Cup will be entitled to take part in a play-off against the bottom-ranked Full Member and, if successful, obtain the Test status. The CSA chief also harped on the fact that there now would be legally binding FTP Agreements between member boards. "We are currently at an advanced stage of discussion with all the Full Members to secure our future tours through to 2023 and we will take comfort in the legally binding FTP Agreements that will be in place," he said. CSA had recently seen the Indian board force a reduction in the duration and number of Tests and ODIs between India and hosts South Africa in December last after BCCI bickered over Haroon Lorgat`s appointment as CSA`s CEO and got him sidelined from the tour. "What is equally important is that this is only a transitional arrangement and from 2016 there will be fully democratic elections for all the governing positions in the ICC including the chairpersons of the Board and the other committees. There will be no restrictions in this regard," he added. "All these decisions and those still to come will help cricket to move forward with a unified sense of purpose and ensure the future of our great game," concluded Nenzani. Nenzani would deliver a full report to the scheduled CSA Board meeting later this week, said the CSA release.