Lord's has been the home of the ICC since 1909

The British government failed to offer assurances of tax concessions that may have persuaded the ICC to stay put.

Offers are considered from Ireland, Switzerland, Malaysia and Dubai, all of whom have offered tax exemptions and subsidised office space.

A spokesman told BBC Sport a decision on the move could be made without a full meeting of the executive board.

Dubai is considered the favoured destination for the new HQ, having offered tax-free status, along with Malaysia.

Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget statement earlier this month made it clear tax concessions would not be made available.

"The government was looking at the possibility of tax breaks for sports federations," said a spokesman for the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

"But the Treasury decided that wouldn't happen.

"We are keen to see sports federations in the UK but it is their decision where they base their HQ."

However, the spokesman denied reports that assurances of tax concessions had been made.

Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has called for the government to reconsider, and has written to Brown over the matter.

"Britain has lost a number of international sports headquarters in recent years and it would be another severe blow to our reputation as a major sporting capital to lose cricket as well," Robertson said.

"We agree with UK Sport that the Government should do everything possible to retain the ICC headquarters in London."

The ICC was formed out of the Imperial Cricket Conference and in 1965 was renamed the International Cricket Council.

It now has 10 full members - the Test nations - plus 79 associate and affiliate members.