In a statement here, Richards, said, ``one of Dalmiya's main achievements has been to persuading the cricket playing countries of the need for a united international response to the allegations of match-fixing.

``In January this year, the countries established the ICC Code of Conduct Commission. Its role is to oversee and co-ordinate the investigation by member countries like the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) and the Pakistan Government,'' the statement said.

``The ACB recently conducted a thorough investigation arising from the Mark Waugh-Shane Warne allegations (against few Pakistani cricketers) while the Pakistan government's judicial enquiry is nearing completion and both the enquiries will be reviewed by the commission,'' the statement said.

``The terms of reference for the ICC code of conductcommission were announced in January and the composition of the panel would be finalised by the end of April,'' it added.

``During Dalmiya's term of office, a new corporate structure of ICC has seen the countries directly involved in the decision making process of international cricket,'' Richards said in the statement.

Dalmiya was instrumental in the ``commercial success of the 1998 Wills International Cup which has generated significant funds for the ambitious ICC development programme to globalise the game,'' Richards concluded.

The cricket annual Wisden had called for the resignation of Dalmiya over the bribes-and-betting scandal which had tarnished the game, terming it as the worst crisis since `Bodyline' -- the short-pitched bowling controversy on England's Ashes tour of 1932-33.

Noted cricket writer, Christopher Martin-Jenkins said in his column that ``one cannot help an unworthy suspicion that the criticism of Dalmiya has something to do with ICC's failure to take up the Wisden'sidea of a World Championship of Test Cricket. On this, the administrators are right to be cautious.

Wisden cricket magazine had floated the idea of a World Test Championship over a protracted four-year period, which has not been accepted by the ICC. The ICC was contemplating a much shorter version.

REACTIONS

In the last 15 years, Dalmiya is the only man with some brains to head the ICC. He has ideas and a will to carry them out -- Geoff Boycott, former England opener and commentator.

One of Dalmiya's greatest strengths as an administrator is his willingness to utilise the knowledge of the cricketers who have played the game at the highest level. He has the vision for the game's progress that I haven't heard enunciated by any other so-called leader among cricket officials -- Former Australian captain Ian Chappell

An interesting administrator, one who had the vision for the future of the game and who was not bound by the more boring aspects of tradition. I wouldlike to see him offering more ideas for the game as we move into the 21st century -- Former Australian captain Richie Benaud

It's a gimmick and publicity stunt. Dalmiya is respected the world over for his administrative and marketing acumen and needs no certificate from Matthew Engel -- BCCI secretary JY Lele on Engel's attack on Dalmiya.