Photo Credit: Facebook Photo of England Cricket
Cricket’s governing body is implementing cost-cutting redundancies as part of a broader strategy to decentralize the sport.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould informed staff this week that due to the “fast-changing” nature of cricket, internal changes would be made, resulting in redundancies.
It is understood that approximately 15 roles will be cut, with further reductions possible through natural attrition. The restructuring primarily impacts the commercial and communications teams. While company-wide redundancies have been avoided, there are concerns that this may be the first of multiple rounds, especially as the sale of stakes in The Hundred franchises progresses.
Once the sale is complete, the management of The Hundred will largely shift from the ECB to host counties and their new investment partners, which could lead to additional job losses within the ECB.
In his email, Gould highlighted plans to “radically change investment patterns,” directing an additional £35 million annually to the counties, with a focus on growing women’s cricket. He emphasized the need to balance this with maintaining financial reserves for the sport. As a result, Gould stated that some roles had been put at risk to ensure the ECB is appropriately structured to meet new challenges.
Gould and ECB chairman Richard Thompson, both formerly of Surrey, have been clear about their goal to decentralize the ECB’s role, shifting more responsibilities to the counties.
As part of this decentralization, a new three-tier structure for the domestic women’s game will be introduced next year, replacing the current regional system, which was fully funded by the ECB.
This Friday marks the deadline for potential investors to formally express interest in purchasing stakes in one of the eight Hundred franchises. Gould, speaking in Multan where England is playing Pakistan, confirmed that “about 100” parties are engaged in the process, which will continue into next year.
The anticipated proceeds, potentially reaching half a billion pounds, will be distributed among the 18 counties and grassroots cricket rather than retained by the ECB, which is giving 51% ownership of each franchise to the host venues.
The ECB’s latest financial report shows a profit of £27.9 million for the previous year.
The ECB declined to comment.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
