FICA congratulates Ireland and Afghanistan on ICC full membership and urges the game to prioritise structural and competition format changes
 
The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today congratulated Ireland and Afghanistan on achieving full membership of the ICC and Mr Imran Khawaja on election as deputy chairman of the ICC Board, and responded to other reported outcomes of last week’s ICC meetings in London

Former England International Vikram Solanki Appointed FICA President
 The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today announced the appointment of former England international, Vikram Solanki as FICA President. Solanki represented England on more than 50 occasions between 2000 and 2007 and amassed almost 30,000 first class and List A runs during his professional career. He holds a law degree, is a current assistant coach of Surrey County Cricket Club and is a former Chairman of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (UK). Solanki replaces Jimmy Adams as FICA President.

​150 years is a long time for a cricket club to exist in this comparably young country. In fact, the 150th Jubilee of the Greytown Cricket Club over Waitangi weekend is believed to make them the second oldest club in New Zealand.  
 
The tranquillity of the boutique cricket ground in the picturesque town of Greytown was blessed with what must have been the best day of summer, in scorching heat the setting was an absolute picture, with a crowd described as the ‘largest we have seen at the ground’ by club President Jason Osbourne. 

Glenn Phillips started his Twenty20 career by fulfilling his much touted talent when taking out the CricHQ MVP for the McDonalds Super Smash, in what was his debut season for the Aces.
 
The expressive right hand opening bat is typical of the millennial player who have grown up when reverse sweeps, switch hits and cover drives for six are about ‘execution’ – not a brain fade. 

Former international captains Lisa Sthalekar and Graeme Smith were appointed as Independent Board Members of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) at the FICA annual meeting held in Cape Town between 10-12 October.
 
The Board held lengthy discussions on the significant issues around the structure of international cricket. The discussions were guided by FICA’s 2016 International Cricket Structural Review, player insights, player surveys and FICA’s ongoing dialogue with the ICC and the ICC Member Boards.​

The New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) is delighted to confirm the agreement of a new three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the White Ferns environment. 

​There will now be 15 players awarded annual contracts with NZC each year.

Women's cricket has recently received a boost in profile and investment - with Twenty20 competitions spawning from the Men's equivalent in Australia and England - as well as enhanced support for international players in most leading countries. 

While this has increased opportunities, most players are still juggling employment alongside their cricket. Erin Bermingham is lucky to have shaped her career, on and off the park, with her two of her passions.

​Memberzone caught up with Erin at a recent White Ferns training camp in Christchurch.