Players’ body review seeks solution to ‘broken and unsustainable’ cricket schedule
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Veteran Australia batsman Steve Smith has said that he has no plans to wind down his career having signed a long-term deal to play in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) said that it has launched an independent review of the sport’s structure, with one of its key aims being to find a solution to the “confusing and chaotic” global schedule.
The WCA, previously known as the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, said on Aug 19 that the review would focus on three issues – global scheduling, the economics of the sport, and player employment, contracting and regulation.
The review will be led by a panel that includes ex-Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir and former England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive officer Tom Harrison.
It will also consult players, current and former administrators, and franchise owners.
“The current model is broken and unsustainable,” the association said.
“Confusing and chaotic global scheduling with no clarity on the interplay between international cricket and the domestic leagues means that players are increasingly forced to choose between representing their country and optimising their careers.”
WCA executive chairman Heath Mills said that cricket’s leadership had failed to establish a clear and coherent global structure in which the three different formats of cricket could coexist.
“We have virtually given up hope of it doing so. The players deserve a say on the future of the game and want us to start putting forward some solutions to known issues,” he added.
The process will focus on making recommendations to the board on optimising the game’s global structure, ensuring sustainable value, and providing more clarity, he said.
The International Cricket Council, the game’s global governing body, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The growth of lucrative domestic Twenty20 leagues has strained cricket’s bloated calendar further, with the introduction of new competitions in recent years reducing the windows available for Test and one-day cricket.
Some international players have chosen to retire from certain formats due to the demands of the schedule.
In research published by the Professional Cricketers’ Association in May, a majority of professionals in England and Wales expressed concern about the county cricket schedule.
In other cricket news, veteran Australia batsman Steve Smith says he has no plans to wind down his career, having signed a long-term deal to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) with the Sydney Sixers.
The 35-year-old inked a three-year contract with the Sixers and could squeeze in four BBL games during the home summer between the final Test against India and the tour of Sri Lanka.
Smith was overlooked for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup squad for the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean in June but remains committed to playing all formats. He won the tournament in 2021. REUTERS
