In frame: ICC Chairman Jay Shah and Ben Stokes (Source: APF & @englandcricket)
Even though he has already called curtains on his international retirement on June 28, 2026, controversies haven’t stopped following the name ‘Ben Stokes’.
For the unversed, on July 8, 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over a potential anti-corruption breach related to Ben Stokes's international retirement.
The probe has begun regarding the Article 2.2.11 of the Players' and Match Officials' Areas (PMOA) minimum standards.
This rule strictly prohibits the recording and public broadcasting of audio or video from inside team dressing rooms during an international match.
The ECB posted the Ben Stokes retirement footage to its social media and broadcast channels shortly before the tea interval on Day 4. It has been said that the global board has allegedly violated strict anti-corruption protocols, resulting in an ICC-led investigation.
Now, the question arises: if proven guilty, what actions will be taken against the England board? Moreover, could the ICC consider suspending the ECB in such a case?
Can the ICC suspend a Full Member? What does the rule state?
Before looking into what measures the apex council of cricket can take against the ECB, let’s take a look at how much power the ICC exercises.
Certainly, the International Cricket Council holds regulatory and administrative authority over international tournaments for its 12 Full Members, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe.
Also read - "Sack Him": Ben Stokes Takes A Solid Jibe At Jay Shah's ICC
This gives the ICC autonomy to make independent decisions. Thus, it has the constitutional authority to take disciplinary action, issue reprimands, and even suspend a Full Member nation.
ECB Anti-Corruption case: What can the ICC actually do if a board breaches its rules?
It is worth noting that the ICC can impose heavy sanctions or suspend member boards for breaching its rules. When a board violates regulations, such as failing to implement effective governance, breaking PMOA guidelines, failing to abide by anti-corruption laws, allowing political interference, or damaging the sport’s reputation.
Looking into the ECB Anti-Corruption case, the third point in ICC's Anti-Corruption Code states that, “Communication devices are prohibited within the PMOA, barring specific exceptions. Without exception, no player shall be in possession of, or use a communication device (such as a mobile phone or a device which is connected to the internet, while in the PMOA.”
Thus, if a national cricket board breaches the ICC's PMOA (Players' and Match Officials' Areas) guidelines, the ICC can impose the following actions:
- Financial penalties
- Initiate disciplinary action for misconduct
- Issue formal warnings or reprimands
It is worth noting that violations of the PMOA Code don’t lead to an immediate board suspension.
Has the ICC ever punished a cricket board?
Historically, and very recently, similar cases have emerged in which the ICC had to intervene in a national board’s governance and conduct. Below are the latest high-profile instances where the apex body of global cricket had to exercise its power to stop misconduct and took serious action:
1) Cricket Canada (2026): The ICC suspended Cricket Canada's membership and took over its affairs following deep-seated issues with governance and financial mismanagement.
2) USA Cricket (2026): The ICC suspended USA Cricket's membership due to repeated failures by the board to meet its obligations as an ICC member, eventually having to manage the national team directly.
3) Sri Lanka Cricket (2023): The ICC suspended SLC after finding serious breaches of its obligations, specifically regarding government interference in the management and administration of the sport.
4) Zimbabwe Cricket (2019): The ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket for failing to ensure there was no government interference when the government sports commission suspended the entire elected board and replaced it with an interim committee.
5) Pakistan Cricket Board (2025): The ICC has previously taken disciplinary action and fined the PCB for multiple violations and misconduct, including recording a match official meeting, Andy Pycroft, and breaching match protocols.
Also read: Shapoor Zadran's Demise Forces Afghanistan To Postpone Major Tournament
