The ICC plan a big spend [AFP]

The International Cricket Council will invest $300 million to develop the sport in countries that are not full members of the council.

"(It's) the biggest investment in global development by any sport outside football," Haroon Lorgat, the CEO of cricket's governing body, said in an ICC statement.

The investment will take place over the next seven years, starting in 2009.

"We want to see results that challenge world cricket's existing order," Lorgat said.

The ICC has 10 full member nations and 104 other member countries. It also has 34 associates and 60 affiliates around the world.

In 2008, the ICC invested $18 million in the sport.

Lorgat said cricket remains financially secure due to agreements the ICC signed with commercial partners in 2006.

"All the revenue we generate from our events, broadcast and commercial agreements is ploughed back into the game," Lorgat said.