ICC eyes $15 Million fund to bolster Test cricket beyond the Big Three
This initiative, largely championed by Cricket Australia chair Mark Baird, is intended to help smaller cricketing boards compete more effectively with the lucrative franchise leagues that often lure players away from the traditional format of the game.
The ICC is considering the introduction of a dedicated fund starting from 2025, aimed at bolstering Test cricket among nations outside the Big Three—India, Australia, and England.
The fund is expected to amount to approximately US $15 million (around £11 million) and has garnered support from key figures such as BCCI secretary Jay Shah and ECB chair Richard Thompson.
The core idea is to establish a minimum match fee for Test cricketers, reported to be around US $10,000 (approximately £7,600). This move is designed to make Test cricket a more financially viable option for players who might otherwise be tempted by the more lucrative opportunities in short-format leagues around the world.
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The initiative is particularly significant for the nine Test-playing nations outside of the Big Three, which often struggle financially when it comes to hosting or participating in Test matches.
These nations frequently incur losses, not only when hosting but also when touring. For example, earlier this year, the outgoing CEO of Cricket West Indies, Johnny Grave, disclosed that their tour of Australia had cost the board US $2 million.
Although the fund is still in its early stages and has yet to be formally discussed by the ICC at the board or executive committee level, Baird remains optimistic about its potential impact. He recently expressed his enthusiasm for the proposal, stating that it is vital to remove barriers and promote Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport, preserving its rich history and legacy alongside the rise of white-ball cricket.
In related developments, ECB chief executive Richard Gould recently announced that Zimbabwe would receive a "touring fee" for their one-off Test at Trent Bridge on 22 MAY next year. This concept of compensating touring teams is not entirely new; Gould had suggested it a year ago, but it is only now that tangible steps are being taken to implement it.
The economic disparities within international cricket have already led to various forms of reciprocal agreements between boards. For instance, during England's 2023 limited-overs tour of the Caribbean, the ECB agreed to add three additional T20 matches, which proved to be financially beneficial for the West Indies. In return for the West Indies Test series in England last month, the ECB will also be facilitating a West Indies Under-19 tour to the UK.
This prospective ICC fund, if implemented, could mark a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability and attractiveness of Test cricket for all nations involved, particularly those struggling financially.
