Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @cricketaustralia and @ausmencricket
An Australian-led initiative to create a AUD15 million fund to retain top players in Test cricket is expected to be adopted by the International Cricket Council.
With major cricket nations struggling to match the financial appeal of lucrative T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League, Australia, in collaboration with India and England, has proposed this strategy to support Test cricket. The fund aims to guarantee a minimum payment for Test players, estimated at $US10,000, and cover the costs of overseas tours for financially struggling countries. For example, the West Indies spent AUD1 million sending teams to Australia last summer.
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird, who proposed the idea in January, is pleased that it is likely to be approved. “It’s fantastic to see some momentum behind the Test match fund,” Baird told this masthead. “We need to take away the barriers and encourage Test cricket to be the best of the best. To retain that history and that legacy, which goes alongside the newer forms of white ball cricket.”
The concept has been endorsed by Indian cricket leader Jay Shah, who is set to be officially elected ICC president next week.
“There should be a dedicated fund for Tests, whether it’s AUD5 million, AUD10 million or more. It is expensive to host teams for five-day Tests, so we are preparing for it. If the [ICC] board agrees, we are ready to do it.”
Shah defended India’s share of nearly 40 percent of the ICC dividend, attributing it to the substantial television revenue India generates from global events. In comparison, Zimbabwe receives about 3 percent.
Indian cricket generates significant revenue from the IPL and international matches. Shah asserts that India supports other countries by touring more frequently than any other Test nation, which helps host nations earn income from selling broadcast rights to India.
The fund is unlikely to directly benefit the wealthiest cricket nations—India, Australia, and England—since they already pay their players well.
Pat Cummins earned approximately AUD3 million from Cricket Australia last year as captain of the Test and one-day teams, while most regular Australian players earn between AUD1 million and AUD2 million annually.
The availability of funds for Test cricket from the ICC may be influenced by a dispute with broadcaster Star. Star’s $US3 billion (AUD 4.46 billion) bid for TV and digital rights was based on an agreement to sub-license part of the deal to ZeeTV, which was merging with Sony. However, after the merger fell through, ZeeTV withdrew, leaving Star to cover the full cost. Star’s dissatisfaction with the expense was highlighted by its unsuccessful attempt earlier this year to move the T20 World Cup from the USA and the Caribbean to India.
The push to establish a Test fund began after South Africa fielded a significantly weakened squad for their tour of New Zealand earlier this year. South African administrators had committed their top players to IPL franchises for the domestic T20 tournament, limiting their availability for international fixtures. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh criticized this approach, claiming that administrators were neglecting Test cricket. In response to Waugh’s criticism, Baird recognized the need for action.
“If we’re in a position that national teams aren’t being prioritised, then we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Baird said.
