The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has embarked on a comprehensive review of the global cricket structure, aimed at addressing the increasingly disjointed and cramped cricket calendar. The players’ body, led by Chair Heath Mills, has “given up hope” that the game’s leaders can establish a clear and coherent structure for international cricket and domestic leagues to co-exist.
The review is the result of players wanting to have a say in the future of the game and seeking solutions to the pressing issues. WCA has consulted with 84% of players, who are in favor of ring-fencing windows to ensure international cricket and domestic T20 leagues can co-exist.
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A six-member group, led by former Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Paul Marsh and including former Pakistan captain Sana Mir, former FICA chief Tony Irish, former ECB CEO Tom Harrison, and Sanjog Gupta (Head of Sports, Disney Star), will lead the review.
The group will consult with various stakeholders, including players, current and former administrators, and franchise owners before producing a set of recommendations.
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WCA review will focus on three fundamental issues affecting the game globally:
The scheduling model, which is “broken and unsustainable” and “confusing and chaotic,” forcing players to choose between representing their country and optimizing their careers; the growing economic disparity between members, relying on a few to fund the entire game, leaving smaller members forced to make short-term decisions; and player employment and contracts, where the lack of a clear global calendar makes it impossible for the game to regulate itself transnationally in a fair and balanced way.
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The WCA represents players from 16 different members, including associations from Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa. The organization aims to provide solutions to create ongoing clarity, value, and sustainability for players, boards, and fans alike.
“We are fortunate that cricket is spoilt for choice and has three core formats across both the international game and domestic leagues,” Mills said. “However, to date, the game’s leadership has collectively failed to come together to establish a clear and coherent global structure in which they can co-exist. We have virtually given up hope of it doing so.”
The World Cricket Association believes that change is badly needed to create ongoing clarity, value, and sustainability for all stakeholders. The organization is committed to putting forward solutions to known issues and providing more clarity, consistency, and less confusion for players, fans, and commercial partners alike.
The review is expected to produce recommendations before the end of the year, although this is not considered a hard deadline. The WCA board will review the recommendations before presenting them to the game’s stakeholders, including the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The World Cricketers’ Association is committed to making a positive impact on the game’s global structure and ensuring that players have a say in its future. By working together with stakeholders, WCA aims to create a more sustainable and enjoyable cricket calendar for all involved.