The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has initiated a pioneering review to address the “broken and unsustainable” global cricket schedule, according to AFP. This ambitious effort, spearheaded by the players’ union—formerly known as FICA—aims to propose a solution that harmonizes the international cricket calendar with domestic leagues, ensuring they can “co-exist in a clear, coherent calendar.”
Leading this review are former England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison and former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir, who are part of a six-member panel working alongside independent consultants. Their objective is to gather input from players, administrators, team owners, and broadcasters, ultimately delivering a set of recommendations to the WCA board.
In a statement released on Monday, the WCA emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing the current model as “broken and unsustainable.” They highlighted the “confusing and chaotic global scheduling” that forces players to choose between representing their countries and optimizing their careers in domestic leagues.
WCA chair Heath Mills expressed his concern over the lack of a unified global structure, stating, “The leadership of the game has failed to come together to create a clear and coherent framework where international and domestic cricket can coexist. We’ve nearly lost hope of that happening.”
The pressing need for change is underscored by recent research from the Professional Cricketers’ Association, revealing that 81 percent of players are worried about the physical toll of the relentless domestic schedule, which leaves little time for rest and recovery. Although the ECB’s 2022 high-performance review recommended reducing domestic cricket, the proposals were rejected by English county teams.
Former England captain Joe Root also voiced his support for restructuring the schedule, emphasizing that such changes are necessary for the long-term benefit of English cricket.
