International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay has opted out for a third term as the governing council began the election process on Tuesday. It opens the door for new candidates with the deadline to file the nomination set to August 27.

The focus will be on the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Jay Shah, who has not shown any signs of filing the nomination. He, however, remains one of the strong contenders for the position.

“For the election to proceed, at least one additional candidate must enter the race and it’s not clear whether there will be a contest at all,” said an ICC source in the know of things. “It will depend on what Mr Jay Shah decides. If he files nomination, there will be no election. He will be elected unopposed,” the source added.

Barclay’s term will come to an end on November 30 with the new chairman set to take the office from December 1. The New Zealander was appointed to the role on November 2020, before being re-elected to the position on November 2022.

The process of election process as outlined by the ICC reads as follows: “Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.”

The new chairman will hold the position for three years after the term was increased by an year.