Cricket Players’ Union’s decision to review ‘broken’ structure

The World Cricketers’ Association has launched a major review of the ‘broken and unstable’ schedule of the popular game.

The players’ union, formerly known as FICA, plans to offer a solution that allows international cricket and domestic leagues to ‘cohere in a clear, coherent calendar for all’.

Former England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison and former Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir are part of the six-member panel that will work with independent consultants to conduct the review.

They will make recommendations to the WCA Board after consultation with players, administrators, team owners and broadcasters.

A statement issued by the WCA on Monday said that the current model is broken and not sustainable.

He said the confusion and chaos in global scheduling due to lack of clarity on the relationship between international cricket and domestic leagues meant that players had to either represent their country or advance their careers. are forced to choose.

Change is desperately needed to create continued clarity and value for players, boards and fans.

WCA chairman Heath Mills added, “We are fortunate to have so many cricket opportunities available and have three primary formats in both international play and domestic leagues.”

‘To date, the sport’s leadership has failed to come together collectively to establish a clear and coherent global framework within which they can coexist. We have practically given up hope of doing so.’

A survey conducted in May by the Professional Cricketers’ Association found that 81 per cent of players were concerned about physical damage during domestic fixture lists, with little time for adequate rest and recovery.

This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).

The ECB’s High Performance Review in 2022 recommended a cut in domestic cricket funding, but English county teams rejected the proposals.

Former England captain Joe Root recently said that ‘it is clear that a change in schedule is needed to see long-term benefits for English cricket.’

As with all WCA work, the work stream will be player-led, but will also involve wider consultation with current and former administrators, including the ICC, owners, media and others. In addition to the global player survey data already obtained, players will continue to be engaged through international team meetings, the WCA Player Advisory Board and the planned global scheduling symposium process.

The report will focus on constructive solutions to major issues with a view to improving the sport infrastructure, including around the world:

Scheduling (especially between international cricket and domestic leagues)

Game Economics Players employment and

Contracting and regulation known issues

The majority of cricket-playing nations have limited capacity to invest in the development of the game, and the constant need to make short-term decisions due to growing inequality between countries and the reliance on a few for funding the entire game. .

WCA Independent Board Member Sana Mir said that cricket is a global sport and global issues significantly affect the health of the game in each country and player and their regions. This important process will mainly focus on the parts of cricket that fund the entire game under it.