The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to take a bold step to boost the future of Test cricket. The ICC is reportedly considering introducing a dedicated fund of at least $15 million for Test cricket in order to address growing concerns over player migration to franchise T20 leagues, which offer higher financial rewards.
The idea was originally proposed by Cricket Australia (CA), and has now gained the attention and backing of key administrative figures from several cricket boards, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
ICC plans to fund major fund to boost Test cricket amid T20 league boom
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is one of the leading candidates for the next ICC President, has reportedly backed Cricket Australia’s (CA) proposal. The reported fund is said to be designed to improve the minimum match fee for Test players, at least close to the lucrative offerings of T20 leagues.
Additionally, the fund will help cover expenses related to overseas tours, providing financial support to cricket boards like West Indies, which face challenges in competing with the substantial wages in T20 cricket. This move is seen as a crucial step towards improving demand for Test cricket.
Great to see some momentum behind the Test match fund: CA
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald says: “The fund would guarantee a minimum trial payment for all players, estimated at $10,000, and pay the costs of overseas tours for struggling countries.”
On the other hand, CA chairman Mike Baird said: “It is fantastic to see the Test match fund gaining momentum. We need to remove the barriers and encourage Test cricket to be the best of the best. To retain that history and that legacy, which goes with the new forms of white-ball cricket.”
ICC’s planned Test cricket fund faces uncertainty due to Star Network’s renegotiation demands
Meanwhile, the proposed fund is not expected to offer any benefit to the three richest cricketing nations (India, Australia and England) as BCCI, CA and ECB already offer substantial salaries to their players in the longest format of the game.
Additionally, the amount of money available for ICC Test cricket could be influenced by ongoing negotiations with broadcaster Star. Star is actually seeking to renegotiate its 2022 broadcast contract with the ICC, aiming to halve its original value of more than USD 3 billion.
Know about BCCI’s incentive programme for Test players
Earlier this year, the BCCI launched a new incentive programme aimed at motivating Indian men’s Test cricketers to prioritise the longest format of the game and consistently deliver top performance.
Under the scheme, players who participate in at least 75% of India’s Test matches during the annual October-September season will receive a whopping bonus of Rs 45 lakh per match, in addition to the standard Test match fee of Rs 15 lakh.
Those who play 50-75% of the Test matches will receive a bonus of Rs 30 lakh per match. Players who are part of the squad but do not participate in the matches will receive half of the bonus.
