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THINGS are quiet these days for former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ray Mali, known to the cricket fraternity in the Border region as “Oom Ray”.

He has recently completed a one- year tenure in the hot seat of the ICC – the highest honour in world cricket – after the death of Percy Sonn in May last year.

Based in Dubai during the past few months, 71-year-old Mali became a global commuter; he travelled to various cricketing destinations around the world as part of his duties. Among the countries he visited we re Kuwait and Argentina, lands where the game of cricket is being developed.

“I believe cricket to be a unifying sport – it brings unity to all nations,” Mali said, “and the ICC are working hard to take cricket to all parts of the world”.

Now back in East London, Mali, a former school teacher and cabinet minister in the former Ciskei government, lives and breathes the game of cricket. T he walls of his office in town bear testimony to this love of the game; w ith all its memorabilia, it is practically a shrine to the sport.

Mali is a past president of the Border Cricket Board as well as of Cricket SA (CSA). He said that the ICC nominated presidents on a two- year cycle from its five main areas: Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

The past year or so proved hectic for Oom Ray, with a number of issues having to be settled by the ICC. These included the resolving of the appointment of the next president, the Darrell Hair umpiring episode, the setting up of the inaugural T20 tournament in South Africa and the Indian Cricket League – all successfully handled by him while in office.

The thorny issue of Zimbabwe in the cricket world is currently being handled by his successor, David Morgan of England. Sharad Powar of India is set to follow Morgan in 2010.

Mali is – and will always remain – a strong supporter of cricket in Zimbabwe. He was very impressed during trips there to see young cricketers and spectators – both black and white – united in their love of cricket.

He said he was pleased that Zimbabwe had been able to play in the limited-overs competitions last season. “There is so much talent there and it will be wonderful if Zimbabwe could play internationals again.”

Mali considers Hair to be one of the best umpires in the world and he was able to persuade him to resume Test umpiring despite his resignation after the England versus Pakistan ball-tampering controversy at the Oval two years ago.

“Thank goodness reason prevailed. Hair is too good an umpire for cricket to lose his services,” Mali said.

The T20 tournament turned out to be one his biggest successes. “Funnily enough, India at first weren’t interested in participating,” Mali revealed. “It took a great deal of persuading by the ICC before they agreed.

“Then, when they won it, things started happening.

“India could see that it would be a great attraction – and money- spinner there – and this led to the setting up of the Indian Premier League this year, which was also a success.”

Some years ago Mali, while acting as the president of CSA, was part of the process of setting up the six original franchises that came into effect in 2004 when South Africa decided to move to a “strength versus strength” system.

This has certainly paid off, with the Proteas currently ranked at number one in ODIs and number two in Test cricket.

“I’m positive South Africa will be the top cricket nation in the not too distant future,” Mali said.

Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see Border gaining their own franchise, and he was among the dignitaries who accompanied the delegation from Cricket SA that inspected Border’s facilities last month.

“A franchise on the Border would benefit the young players immensely,” he said. “I’m hoping we get it.”

Mali, however, feels that it is time that big business stepped in and bought into the franchise system.

“Let the business people own and run the franchises. It can work,” he said with feeling, referring to the Indian League which was bank- rolled by the Bollywood film industry.

“The cricket grounds would rent out the fields to the businessmen. If the idea is properly marketed, it will be a winner.”

Mali has also been most impressed with former Warriors’ coach, Mickey Arthur’s contribution to South Africa’s recent successes at international level.

“I first met Mickey when I was manager of the SA A side in Sri Lanka about 13 or 14 years ago and he was one of the opening batsmen,” Mali said.

“I could see he had a ‘cricket brain’ and he certainly has done wonders with the Proteas. We must never underestimate what he has meant to the team.”

And what does the future hold for Oom Ray?

Whatever he chooses to do, it is highly unlikely he’ll just sit back and relax.