England too against ICC’s plans

New Delhi, November 9

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has intimated the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not support the global body’s bid to have a flagship event every year from 2023 to 2031.

With both the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and Cricket Australia having already opposed ICC’s proposed move, ICC may now face severe roadblocks on the issue with the ‘Big Three’ of world cricket.

“ECB is not in a position to support the current proposal for ICC events from 2023-2031,” ECB chairman Colin Graves wrote in an email to ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney.

ICC in its last meeting in Dubai had proposed that in the next FTP (Futures Tours and Programme) Cycle for the eight-year period between 2023 and 2031, there would be two 50-overs World Cups, four T20 World Cup and two more multi-nation tournaments to make it eight events in eight years.

Graves broadly made three specific points as to why ECB would not support the move.

First, their own bilateral engagements will be compromised; second, concern about workload and health of their players; and third, an extra ICC event in a particular year will take the sheen off the ICC World Test Championship final.

“The impact of the proposed schedule on ICC events on bilateral cricket is a serious concern for the ECB. The proposed schedule risks compromising the time available and thus value and integrity of the bilateral cricket calendar for all member boards,” Graves wrote to Sawhney. “ECB cannot support a schedule where our best players need to play more than they currently do. Players’ welfare is primary concern to the ECB and current proposal requires that international players are likely to have fewer days to prepare and rest.” — PTI