The MCC has suggested limiting bilateral ODI cricket after the 2027 World Cup to improve quality, questioning the value the format adds to an already jam-packed calendar.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s world cricket committee met on the sidelines of the recent Ashes Test at Lord’s and have come to the conclusion that in a world of growing franchise T20 leagues some sacrifices have to be made.
The custodian of the game’s laws also called for more funds to be directed to women’s cricket, saying “significant transformation” was needed to protect the sport overall.
“The suggestion is that a scarcity of ODI cricket would increase the quality, achieved by removing bilateral ODIs, other than in the one-year preceding each World Cup,” the MCC said in a statement.
“This would, as a consequence, also create much-needed space in the global cricketing calendar.”
The suggestions would only be possible after cricket’s 2023-27 cycle.
The FTP for 2023-27 is more or less set. “Nothing is going to be removed,” Wasim Khan, the ICC’s general manager of cricket said in May.
While the panel welcomed more money flowing into the game, it noted the financial disparity among members and voiced “particular concern” for the survival of Test cricket outside India, Australia and England.
The committee, which met during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, acknowledged the “growing unaffordability to host men’s Test match cricket in many nations” and recommended a financial audit.
“This audit of operational costs versus commercial return would help the ICC identify nations in need of support in order to sustain a test match programme,” it said.
“This need could be subsequently addressed via a separate test fund, established to protect the sanctity of test match cricket.”
It also recommended a strategic fund to aid growth of women’s cricket. “The WCC firmly believes that if we are to protect the game of cricket as a whole, immediate action must be taken to bring about significant transformation in the sport,” said former England captain Mike Gatting.
Gatting, who is on his way out as committee chair, added: “In many ways, cricket is growing and, on the surface, seems financially strong. However, we are increasingly seeing a game which focuses on a powerful few, as opposed to a democratic and inclusive approach for the benefit of the whole sport.
“It’s time for the global game to reset. Too often, member nations are finding themselves living hand to mouth with their cricketing operations, versus having along-term, viable strategy in place that future-proofs the game in their country, both financially and in terms of participation.
“We are currently at the commencement of a new ICC Future Tours Programme and financing cycle, and we would recommend further evidence of the requisite funding being directly apportioned to the strategic needs of cricket.”
The committee also advised the setting up of a “substantial and ringfenced fund” solely for women’s cricket.
