LONDON: The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has initiated a comprehensive review to address what it describes as the “broken and unsustainable” structure of the global cricket calendar.
The players’ union, previously known as the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), aims to develop a solution that allows international cricket and domestic leagues to “co-exist in a clear, coherent calendar.”
A six-member panel, including former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison and former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir, will collaborate with independent consultants on the review. The panel’s findings and recommendations will be presented to the WCA board after consultations with players, administrators, team owners, and broadcasters.
In a statement released on Monday, the WCA emphasized the need for change: “The current model is broken and unsustainable. The global cricket schedule is confusing and chaotic, with no clarity on the relationship between international cricket and domestic leagues. As a result, players are increasingly forced to choose between representing their country and optimizing their careers.”
The WCA’s chair, Heath Mills, highlighted the unique challenge cricket faces with its three core formats across international and domestic competitions. “To date, the game’s leadership has collectively failed to establish a clear and coherent global structure in which these formats can co-exist. We have virtually given up hope of it doing so,” Mills said.
A study conducted by the Professional Cricketers’ Association in May revealed that 81 percent of players are concerned about the physical toll of the domestic fixture list, citing insufficient time for rest and recovery. A 2022 high-performance review by the ECB recommended reducing the number of domestic cricket matches, but the proposal was rejected by English county teams.
Former England captain Joe Root recently weighed in on the matter, stating, “It is apparent the schedule needs to change to see long-lasting benefits for English cricket.”
