London: In a bid to address the increasing prominence of franchise-level T20 cricket and alleviate the congested cricketing calendar, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has recommended the limitation of men’s bilateral One-Day International (ODI) cricket series after the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. The MCC’s World Cricket Committee, led by former England skipper Mike Gatting, expressed concerns about the value these series bring amidst the rapid expansion of franchise cricket worldwide.
During a meeting held on the sidelines of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, the 13-member committee emphasised the need to prioritise the quality of cricket by reducing the number of bilateral ODI series, except in the year preceding each World Cup. The committee believes that this approach will create much-needed breathing space in the already packed international cricket calendar.
The MCC’s World Cricket Committee acknowledged the challenges faced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its members in balancing international cricket with the rising popularity of T20 franchise leagues. England batsman Jason Roy’s decision to forego a portion of his incremental contract with the senior England side to participate in franchise leagues globally highlights the growing allure of franchise cricket.
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) expanding its window to two months and franchises like the Mumbai Indians branching out by purchasing teams in other leagues, such as MI Cap Town in the SA20 League in South Africa and MI New York in the MLC, players are increasingly being offered year-round contracts by these franchises.
While the ICC’s general manager of cricket, Wasim Khan, stated in May that no changes would be made to the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027, he emphasised the need for international cricket to coexist with T20 franchise cricket in the face of evolving times.
Test cricket also faces its own set of challenges, with only a few countries financially capable of hosting Test matches without incurring losses. The MCC’s World Cricket Committee has called upon the ICC to conduct an audit of the Test game to assess operational costs and commercial returns. This audit would help identify nations requiring support to sustain their Test match programmes, leading to the proposal of establishing a separate Test fund aimed at protecting the sanctity of Test cricket.
While a Test fund was previously established in 2014 during the dominance of the ‘Big Three’ cricket boards (BCCI, ECB, and CA), its effectiveness was short-lived. The MCC’s World Cricket Committee seeks a renewed focus on the financial sustainability and participation growth of the sport in all member nations, aiming for a more democratic and inclusive approach.
In addition to the proposed Test fund, the World Cricket Committee has advised the establishment of a substantial and ringfenced fund for women’s cricket. This fund would support full member and associate nations committed to investing in their women’s cricket pathways and national teams. The committee believes that qualifying as a full ICC member should necessitate the investment in both men’s and women’s cricket, including fielding a national women’s team.
As the new ICC Future Tours Programme and financing cycle begins, the MCC’s World Cricket Committee advocates for evidence of sufficient funding being allocated directly to address the strategic needs of cricket in each member nation. This approach aims to secure the long-term viability of the sport, both financially and in terms of participation.
With these recommendations, the Marylebone Cricket Club’s World Cricket Committee urges a reset in the global game, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable and inclusive approach to benefit the sport as a whole.
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