The World Cricketers Association (WCA), previously known as FICA, has initiated an unprecedented examination of the sport’s schedule, which they describe as “broken and unsustainable.” They aim to propose a resolution that will enable international cricket and domestic leagues to “co-exist in a clear, coherent calendar for all.”
Tom Harrison, former CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is among the six members and Sana Mir, former captain of Pakistan women’s team. The review panel will work with outside consultants.
Different stakeholders including players, administrators, team owners and broadcasters shall be engaged with by the panel to obtain comprehensive insights. They will present their recommendations to the WCA board once the review is complete.
’The current model is broken and unsustainable.’ Parami quoted a WCA statement on Monday.
“A confusing world-wide schedule resulting in immense chaos with no interplay between global cricket and internal premier league means that nowadays players have been forced to make choices between their country or career optimization.”
“Change is desperately needed for ongoing clarity and value for both boards, players and fans.”
Heath Mills a WCA chair added: “Cricket is blessed with multiple formats at both international level as well as in our domestic leagues which gives us an absolute wealth of options.”
“So far there has been no convergence by cricket’s leaders towards establishing an integrated structure globally where all these forms or varieties can coexist harmoniously. We have almost given up hope.”
In May 2022, ‘there was research carried out by Professional Cricketers’ Association which revealed that 81 per cent of respondents were concerned about exhaustion from competing in domestic cricket schedules. The prevailing view among the players was that enough time for rest was not allowed for in the current fixture list.
An ECB high-performance review conducted in 2022 recommended reduction of domestic fixtures so as to address these concerns but English county teams rejected those proposals making them unresolved.
