Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani justified his decision to vote in favour of the ICC revamp.

He explained that all members had to “rethink and make concessions” during the meeting and that the agreement was “a work in progress”.

He argued that the proposals had been modified considerably from how they were originally presented and was confident that the agreement paved the way for fully open elections from 2016 onwards.

“Nothing in life is perfect,” Nenzani said. “All countries, including the so-called ‘big three’, have had to rethink and make concessions and the final terms that were approved today include significant changes from the original proposals presented in January.

“It was key that we remain engaged and an absolute imperative that we should preserve the financial stability of the game over the next eight-year cycle from 2015 to 2023. Not only have we managed to do this but we have created the opportunity for current associate members to aspire to play Test cricket – the game’s highest form.

“All these decisions and those still to come will help cricket to move forward with a unified sense of purpose and ensure the future of our great game.”

Nenzani had a long meeting with BCCI president N Srinivasan on the eve of the ICC meeting which is believed to have resulted in CSA’s change of heart.

The South African board was the first ‘full member’ to publicly oppose the proposal.