Twenty nations. One World Cup. Vastly different financial realities.
From Italy’s debut to Nepal fans turning stadiums into home grounds, cricket finally looked like the global sport it had always claimed to be at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Then the tournament ended. And the brutal economic reality set in.
In 2024, USA hosted a World Cup, stunned Pakistan, and filed for bankruptcy just 14 months later. Scotland came within touching distance of Full Membership, only to implode amid a racism scandal and now sit on barely $100,000 in reserves.
These are not isolated cases.
Last year, we broke down the finances of the 12 Test-playing nations. Today, we turn our attention to over 20 Associate nations trying to survive the same system.
Are these nations on track to become the next Afghanistan? Or will they collapse into obscurity like the once-promising Kenya?
Let’s find out.
Key Takeaways
- India alone sits on $923 million in reserves. Canada, the financially strongest Associate, has $3.4 million, a 271x gap. Netherlands runs its entire national cricket operation on $6 million a year. Cricket Australia spent $212 million in 2024 alone.
- Nepal fields the most structured contract system of any Associate nation: 33 men and 19 women, but pay remains extremely low.
- Rishabh Pant’s single IPL auction price of ~$3.1 million could (1) pay Nepal’s Grade A men’s captain, Rohit Poudel ($741/month) for 349 years, (2) fund Nepal’s entire men & women contract pool for 16 years, or (3) single-handedly bankroll two Associate nations’ entire annual ICC grants.
Table of Contents
- The Blueprint: The Associates Getting It Right
- Hanging On: The Associates Surviving on ICC Life Support
- In Crisis: When Governance Fails the Game
- The Next Wave: The Associates Still Finding Their Feet
- Final Thoughts
The Financial Scorecard: 20+ Associate Nations Ranked
Unlike the 12 Test-playing nations, only Netherlands, Scotland (partially), Italy, USA, and Canada have publicly available audited financial statements. For most Associate nations, there is no public financial data due to the lack of professionalization, making accountability and long-term planning far more difficult.
Where financial statements were unavailable, I assessed the financial health based on central contract announcements, budget documents, strategy plans, and news reports.
- 🟢 Financially & Institutionally Strong: None
- 🟡 Stable: Netherlands, UAE, Namibia, Nepal
- 🔴 At Risk: Scotland, Uganda, Kuwait, Italy, Brazil (women)
- 🟠 Not Professional Yet: Bermuda, Germany, Jersey, Thailand (women), Argentina, Tanzania, Japan, Hong Kong, Fiji, Denmark, Spain, Samoa, all other Associate nations
- 💀 In Crisis: Canada, USA, Kenya, Oman, PNG
All 98 Associates share approximately $67.2 million in annual ICC funding, an average of $690,000 per nation, though actual grants range from about $12,500 for the smallest members to up to $2 million for top-tier nations. Allocations are determined by a scorecard measuring participation, infrastructure, staffing, and non-ICC income generation.
You can access all of the Financial Reports and Annual Reports referenced in this article here.
Embed from Getty ImagesI. The Blueprint: The Associates Getting It Right
These Associates have demonstrated centrally funded contracts, growing infrastructure, and revenue sources beyond pure ICC dependency.
Netherlands ($1.69 Million Reserves)
Financial Strength: 🟡 Stable
Central Contracts: 10 Men/11 Women
Bottom Line: $1.69 million is thin for a national cricket board running a $6 million annual operation. The KNCB needs to earn more to provide stronger central contracts for their core players.
After their best financial year in 2023, a sponsorship dispute with their principal partner, Nordek, almost halved their sponsorship revenue in 2024. Their liquid cash dropped from $2.38 million to $1.29 million in a single year. They need to find a new major sponsor before that trend continues.
Revenues and Expenses
Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) – Royal Dutch Cricket Association
KNCB Reserves Summary
- 2021: + €1,411,166 (+ $1,632,879)
- 2022: + €1,219,660 (+ $1,411,147)
- 2023: + €1,699,680 (+ $1,966,430)
- 2024: + €1,462,006 (+ $1,691,741)
Of the $1.69 million, only $1.29 million is in liquid cash, down from $2.38 million in 2023.
*Note: €1 = $1.157 as of 03/20/2026
| Year | Revenue | Operating Cost | Other Gains/Charges* | Total Comprehensive Income |
| 2021 | +€3,017,816 (+$3,491,603) | -€2,757,956 (-$3,191,945) | -€348,821 (-$403,786) | -€88,961 (-$102,968) |
| 2022 | +€3,883,693 (+$4,493,433) | -€3,794,315 (-$4,390,082) | -€280,885 (-$324,944) | -€191,506 (-$221,613) |
| 2023 | +€5,078,352 (+$5,875,653) | -€4,585,332 (-$5,305,019) | -€13,000 (-$15,041) | +€480,020 (+$555,383) |
| 2024 | +€5,044,915 (+$5,836,967) | -€5,287,613 (-$6,117,768) | +€5,024 (+$5,813) | -€237,673 (-$274,988) |
*Other Gains/Charges includes net financial income (interest received) and result from Cricket Nederland B.V.
KNCB Revenue Breakdown
| Year | ICC Contributions | Sponsorship | Domestic (Competitions & Membership) | NOC*NSF | Other Income* |
| 2021 | €2,479,197 (82.2%) | €21,173 (0.7%) | €85,252 (2.8%) | €91,216 (3.0%) | €341,978 (11.3%) |
| 2022 | €2,906,086 (74.8%) | €46,549 (1.2%) | €204,695 (5.3%) | €107,210 (2.8%) | €619,153 (15.9%) |
| 2023 | €3,934,718 (77.5%) | €487,326 (9.6%) | €203,136 (4.0%) | €116,536 (2.3%) | €336,636 (6.6%) |
| 2024 | €3,645,610 (72.3%) | €253,832 (5.0%) | €242,816 (4.8%) | €167,219 (3.3%) | €735,438 (14.6%) |
*Other includes own contributions, education & development, other income, and exchange rate result.
- NOC*NSF (Nederlands Olympisch Comité * Nederlandse Sport Federatie) is the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Federation, essentially government’s investment in sport.
- The ICC income (2024) can be further broken down as follows:
- €2,608,185 (Annual ICC Funding), €691,384 (World Cup participation), €256,549 (Hosting ICC events), €89,492 (Other)
Player Contracts
Average Salary: €40,500 (~$46,859 USD) – Men, €15,000 (~$17,355 USD) – Women
- Total player payment pool for 2026: €570,000 — Men €405,000 (71%), Women €165,000 (29%)
- Men: 7 Contracts for 9 Months, 3 High Performance (HP) contracts for 6 months (Total Playing Days: 86)
- Women: 11 HP Contracts for 6 months – 4 Senior, 7 Junior (Total Playing Days: 57)
Highlight from the 2024 Annual Plan
“For 2024, it is important for us to have set up a High Performance management structure, to develop a player monitoring system including elements of talent recognition, progression and development, as well as to bring the brand and ‘the story’ of Dutch cricket to the masses and potential sponsors….Also high on the agenda for 2024 is offering our top players the contractural (and therefore) financial security they need to fully focus on cricket and their role in the governing body. Their employment position is still too often insecure. For example, 6-month temporary contracts are often used and these provide little to no certainty for the longer term.”
Interesting Observations
- A dispute with principal sponsor Nordek in 2024 almost halved sponsorship revenue. The KNCB had already committed to higher player contracts and coaching staff expecting the World Cup to bring more sponsors. It did not, resulting in a net loss for the year.
- Membership grew 7% and the number of clubs increased by 5 to total of 50. Playing members have increased from 4800 in 2018 to about 6000 in 2025 with rise among all categories: girls, boys, men, and women.
- The Dutch women qualified for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, capping a remarkable rise for the programme. Last year, three Cricket Festivals were organized for girls and women, with 150+ participants and 300 registrations.
Sources: Dutch Cricket Board Annual Financial Report 2024, Yearplan 2026, Strategic Plan 2021-25, Annual Report 2024 (English), KNCB Annual Accounts, ESPN Cricinfo – Associate Cricketers are Choosing County over WC Qualifier, 2021 Governance Crisis
Also Read: ICC, I Plead You, It’s Time to Give Scotland & Netherlands Full Membership, What It Takes to Become an Associate Member – ICC Documentation
Embed from Getty ImagesNamibia
Financial Strength: 🟡 Stable
Central Contracts: 9+ Men/10 Women
Bottom Line: Namibia punches well above its weight. No published financials, but the evidence points to a well-run federation: men’s contracts since 2009, the first women’s professional contracts in any sport in the country, the largest grassroots cricket programme in Africa, and now a brand new national stadium.
Highlights
- The Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme reached 58,560 participants in 2024 (31,400 boys, 27,160 girls), making it the largest cricket initiative on the African continent, helping them win the 2024 ICC Development Initiative of the Year.
- Cricket Namibia signed 10 women’s contracts for the Capricorn Eagles, the first professional contract for any women sport in the country.
- Men’s Contracts were offered as early as 2009 to 9 professional cricketers. The budget for the cricket federation at that time was N$9 Million (~$1.2 Million USD)
- The FNB (First National Bank) Namibia Cricket Ground opened in October 2025 in Windhoek, the country’s first national stadium. They stunned South Africa in the opening match.
Sources: Cricket Namibia Announces Women’s Central Contracts, Business Principles must apply to Sport Federations – Cricket Namibia, Namibia 2009 – Central Contract, Namibia Economist, Cricket Namibia Profits, Namibia New Stadium
Embed from Getty ImagesNepal
Financial Strength: 🟡 Stable
Central Contracts: 33 Men/19 Women
Bottom Line: The most sophisticated contract structure of any Associate country. Pay is low by global standards, but the system exists now and is growing. With a passionate fanbase and a growing NPL, the future is bright for Nepali cricket.
- The Nepal Premier League (NPL) launched in 2024, generated NPR 27.69 Crore (~$2 million) in the inaugural season and jumped to about 40-45 Crore (~$3 million) in 2025.
- For 2025, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) offered 33 men across five grades and 19 women across grades under central contract.
- The pay ranges from NPR 100,000 ($670/month) for Grade A players down to NPR 25,000 ($167/month) for emerging players. Women’s Grade A sits at about NPR 50,000 ($334/month).
- Match Fees: The men’s team receives NPR 10,000 ($67) per ODI and NPR 5,000 ($34) per T20I, while the women receive 5,000 and 3,000 ($20) for ODI and T20I respectively.
Nepal has some of the most passionate fans in world cricket, which came to life in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Nepal defeated Scotland and ran England close, falling short by only 4 runs.
Source: Nepal Premier League Revenue, Cricket Association of Nepal (2025) Budget, CAN Central Contract Raise, Nepal Cricket Gender Pay Disparity
UAE
Financial Strength: 🟡 Stable
Central Contracts: 20 Men (10 full-time, 10 part-time), started in 2016
Bottom Line: UAE’s position is uniquely advantaged among Associates: The ILT20 sold its media rights for $120 million over 10 years to Zee Network and is among the top paying franchise leagues. UAE also regularly hosts Tests, Asia Cups, IPL matches, and is home to the ICC itself.
- The women’s UAE team has earned ODI status for 2025-29.
- The expatriate heavy player base remains both UAE cricket’s greatest strength and vulnerability.
Source: Part time UAE cricketers – ESPNCricinfo Monthly, UAE Offers Central Contracts
Embed from Getty ImagesII. Hanging On: The Associates Surviving on ICC Life Support
These Associates are almost entirely ICC-dependent with thin or no reserves, but they still might have central contracts in place.
Scotland ($100,000 Reserves)
Financial Strength: 🔴 At Risk
Central Contracts: 14 Men/9 Women
Bottom Line: The 2019 peak of +£362,484 (+$483,696) represents the high watermark of operational health before COVID, the racism scandal, and the governance crisis that followed. A dream of full membership in 2021 now looks distant. Participation in 2026 T20 World Cup will provide temporary financial relief.
Reserves
- 2016: +£304,559 (+$406,400)
- 2017: +£351,582 (+$469,151)
- 2018: +£352,272 (+$470,071)
- 2019: +£362,484 (+$483,696)
- 2020: +£337,470 (+$450,335)
- 2021: +£335,614 (+$447,859)
- 2022: +£457,807 (+$611,143)
- 2023: +£52,034 (+$69,435)
- 2024: +£77,465 (+$103,388)
Revenues and Expenses
Note: £1 = $1.3344 as of 03/21/2026
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Other Gains/Charges | Total Comprehensive Income |
| 2017 | +£2,187,190 (+$2,918,769) | -£2,144,323 (-$2,861,566) | +£4,156 (+$5,546) | +£47,023 (+$62,758) |
| 2018 | +£2,329,762 (+$3,109,324) | -£2,334,434 (-$3,115,562) | +£5,362 (+$7,155) | +£690 (+$921) |
| 2019 | +£2,576,214 (+$3,438,843) | -£2,566,529 (-$3,425,921) | +£527 (+$703) | +£10,212 (+$13,627) |
| 2020 | +£1,668,010 (+$2,225,869) | -£1,787,129 (-$2,384,874) | +£98,450 (+$131,393) | -£25,014 (-$33,389) |
| 2021 | +£2,264,382 (+$3,021,982) | -£2,361,196 (-$3,151,259) | +£98,670 (+$131,646) | -£1,856 (-$2,477) |
Note: Other Gains/Charges includes interest and furlough (government bailout due to COVID)
| Year | Total Assets | Total Liabilities | Net Assets/Reserves |
| 2022 | +£663,300 (+$885,137) | -£205,493 (-$274,369) | +£457,807 (+$611,143) |
| 2023 | +£801,789 (+$1,070,227) | -£749,755 (-$1,000,522) | +£52,034 (+$69,435) |
| 2024 | +£338,519 (+$451,878) | -£261,054 (-$348,391) | +£77,465 (+$103,388) |
After 2022, Cricket Scotland stopped releasing detailed Profit & Loss statements and only Total Assets/Net Reserves. Hence, the sharp drop from +£457,807 to +£52,034 in 2023 is largely unexplained.
Excerpt from Cricket Monthly
“In 2021, Cricket Scotland was in a secure enough place to think about applying for Full Member (FM) status at the ICC. The criteria for applications had changed and the status was no longer explicitly linked to playing multi-day cricket…By mid-2022 discussions were ongoing with the ICC about the application…Barely a year later Cricket Scotland is in meltdown, any aspirations of FM status blown to dust.”
-Osman Samiuddin, ESPNCricinfo
Interesting Observations
- In 2023, Cricket Scotland announced its first-ever women’s professional contracts, with nine players signing, a landmark moment for the women’s game in Scotland. In 2024, Scotland qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time.
- Cricket Scotland’s 2024-28 Strategy commits to equitable pay across men’s and women’s teams by 2028.
- Scotland’s last minute participation in the 2026 T20 WC at the expense of Bangladesh may boost Scotland’s revenue by $1 million this year.
- There are more than 130 cricket clubs in Scotland.
Sources:
- ESPNCricinfo – Cricket Scotland on a Brink of a Meltdown, Cricket Scotland’s Board Resigns after Racism Report, Cricket Scotland must remain open for all – Luthra
- Paid Contracts and Move towards Equal Match Fees, 2023-24 Central Contracts
- Cricket Strategy 2024-28, Women and Girls Action Plan 2025-28, Scotland to Fund 40 Million in Sports, 2026 T20 World Cup Participation Fee – The Scotsman
- 2013 – Record Turnover
Italy ($87,550 Reserves)
Financial Strength: 🔴 At Risk
Central Contracts: None
Bottom Line: Italy’s funding comes from two major sources: the ICC and government grants. A net loss year in 2024 has wiped out gains from the previous few years. Qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup and win against Nepal will boost both ICC funding and awareness for the sport at home.
Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) Annual Net-Equity (Reserves)
- 2020: +€232,470 (+$269,068)
- 2021: +€70,089 (+$81,093)
- 2022: +€135,531 (+$156,819)
- 2023: +€138,812 (+$160,626)
- 2024: + €75,670 (+$87,550)
FCRI Revenue and Expenses
| Year | Revenue | Operating Cost | Other Charges | Total Comprehensive Income |
| 2021 | +€642,094 (+$742,903) | -€793,573 (-$917,964) | -€11,003 (-$12,730) | -€162,382 (-$187,876) |
| 2022 | +€1,056,194 (+$1,222,017) | -€965,120 (-$1,116,644) | -€25,632 (-$29,656) | +€65,442 (+$75,726) |
| 2023 | +€1,240,749 (+$1,435,547) | -€1,198,564 (-$1,386,638) | -€38,904 (-$45,012) | +€3,280 (+$3,795) |
| 2024 | +€1,839,882 (+$2,128,733) | -€1,902,559 (-$2,201,261) | -€486 (-$562) | -€63,141 (-$73,054) |
| 2025 | ~+€1,841,706 (+$2,130,895) | ~-€1,761,712 (-$2,038,453) | ~+€66,334 (+$76,749) |
Note: The data for 2025 is from FCRI’s budget, while the others (2021-24) are actual financial statements after year end.
FCRI Revenue Breakdown
| Year | ICC Contributions | CONI / Sport&Salute | Member Fees & Fines | Intl Event Revenue | Other Income |
| 2021 | €273,476 (42.6%) | €183,154 (28.5%) | €61,603 (9.6%) | €99,634 (15.5%) | €24,227 (3.8%) |
| 2022 | €440,000 (41.7%) | €413,194 (39.1%) | €113,111 (10.7%) | €77,175 (7.3%) | €12,714 (1.2%) |
| 2023 | €451,099 (36.4%) | €380,176 (30.6%) | €116,673 (9.4%) | €282,913 (22.8%) | €9,889 (0.8%) |
| 2024 | €1,175,600 (63.9%) | €118,000 (6.4%) | ~€75,000 (4.1%) | ~€459,000 (24.9%) | ~€12,000 (0.7%) |
CONI (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano) is Italy’s National Olympic Committee, while Sport & Salute is a government owned company.
Sources: Italian Cricket Federation – Transparent Documents, Joe Burns Left out
Embed from Getty ImagesOther Associate Nations with Central Contracts
- Kuwait: Starting from 2021, Kuwait’s cricket board offers 20 centrally contracted players totaling about $70,000 in pay.
- Uganda: 20 Ugandan players have been offered central contracts in 2024. They defeated Zimbabwe in the 2023 Africa Regional Qualifier to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
- Brazil: In 2020, Brazil offered 14 central contracts to the women team before men, first Associate nation to do so. Programme grew from 26 orphanage children in 2009 to 5000 kids across 50 schools. Two ICC Americas development awards in 2024.
Sources:
- Kuwait Cricket announces national contracts
- National Council Report – Uganda, Uganda Cricket 10-Year Development Plan 2010-20, ICC Money splits Uganda Cricket Association, Financial Statement 2020
- Brazil Offers National Contracts to Women Cricketers
III. In Crisis: When Governance Fails the Game
These Associate nations are characterized by governance failures, bankruptcy, or ICC sanctions.
Embed from Getty ImagesCanada ($3.37 Million Reserves)
Financial Strength: 🟢 Financially Strong | ⚠️ Governance Concerns
Central Contracts: ~18 (frozen since 2023)
Bottom Line: Although Canada has diversified revenue with the T20, has growing reserves, and featured back-to-back Men’s T20 World Cup appearances, governance issues have held them back: Their CEO was fired, player salaries frozen, GT20 contract terminated, and match-fixing allegations emerged.
he money is there. The question is whether the institution can be trusted to use it well.
Cricket Canada Reserves
- 2019: +CAD $983,833 (+$717,804 USD)
- 2020: +$1,821,276 (+$1,329,203)
- 2021: +$2,467,488 (+$1,800,865)
- 2022: +$2,177,793 (+$1,589,368)
- 2023: +$2,967,330 (+$2,165,433)
- 2024: +$4,628,667 (+$3,378,756)
| Year | Revenue | Operating Cost | Total Comprehensive Income |
| 2021 | +$1,605,116 CAD (+$1,171,093 USD) | -$958,904 CAD (-$699,749 USD) | +$646,212 CAD (+$471,517 USD) |
| 2022 | $1,876,730 (+$1,369,167) | -$2,166,425 (-$1,580,696) | –$289,695 (-$211,415) |
| 2023 | $3,176,869 (+$2,317,839) | -$2,387,332 (-$1,741,698) | $789,537 (+$576,141) |
| 2024 | $5,702,483 (+$4,160,692) | -$4,041,146 (-$2,948,580) | $1,661,337 (+$1,212,111) |
Cricket Canada Revenue Breakdown
| Year | ICC Contribution | GT20 (Bombay Sports) | Sponsorship (Boundaries North) | Sports Canada | Other* |
| 2021 | $935,241 CAD (58.3%) | $421,000 CAD (26.2%) | $129,500 CAD (8.1%) | $119,375 CAD (7.4%) | |
| 2022 | $1,488,112 (79.3%) | $29,361 (1.6%) | $104,550 (5.6%) | $254,707 (13.6%) | |
| 2023 | $1,393,783 (43.9%) | $1,030,470 (32.4%) | $345,990 (10.9%) | $100,740 (3.2%) | $305,886 (9.6%) |
| 2024 | $3,637,766 (63.8%) | $1,184,838 (20.8%) | $336,667 (5.9%) | $80,000 (1.4%) | $463,212 (8.1%) |
Other* includes interest income, provincial dues, grant revenue, and miscellaneous.
Highlights
- Cricket Canada started offering central contracts as early as 2009 (to six players) which expanded to about 18 players by 2020, reportedly earning about $40,000 CAD per year (~$30,000 USD).
- Due to a breach of contract, Cricket Canada terminated their contract with Bombay Sports, the previous owners of the GT20. After a year of hiatus, the GT20 is set to be back in 2026
- Cricket Canada has also recently frozen the salary of their national team, suspended Alberta Cricket Association, terminated their CEO, and faced match-fixing allegations
- The men’s team have qualified for back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2024 & 2026, but the women team is far behind, failing to qualify for the Global Qualifier in 2025.
- In 2008, there were reportedly about 40,000 cricketers in Canada across different levels.
Sources: Cricket Canada 2024 Financial Statement, Cricket Canada Financial Statements 2011-2024, 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
Embed from Getty ImagesUSA ($400,000 in Reserves, but Bankrupt)
Financial Strength: ⚠️ Governance Concerns
Central Contract: ~ 17 Men (in 2019)
Bottom Line: New stadiums, hosting a successful home World Cup, victory against Pakistan, LA2028 on the horizon, qualifying for two back-to-back World Cups, and hosting a stable franchise league signalled that things were on the right track. However, with the ACE contract falling through, ICC’s suspension of USA cricket, Aaron Jones’ corruption charges, cricket in America is failing to overcome its major bottleneck: governance.
Reserves
- 2018: -$12,082
- 2019: -$119,463
- 2020: +$878,336
- 2021: -$639,867
- 2022: -$783,330
- 2023: -$126,016
- 2024: +$437,749
*Note: USA Cricket filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 1, 2025, meaning the surplus from the 2024 T20 World Cup and MLC ventures did not translate into organizational stability.
Revenues and Expenses
| Year | Revenue | Operating Cost | Total Comprehensive Income |
| 2019 | +$4,059,233 | -$4,166,614 | -$107,381 |
| 2020 | +$2,998,852 | -$2,001,053 | +$997,799 |
| 2021 | +$2,634,159 | -$4,152,362 | -$1,518,203 |
| 2022 | +$3,257,437 | -$3,400,900 | -$143,463 |
| 2023 | +$3,228,689 | -$2,571,375 | +$657,314 |
| 2024* | +$5,651,835 | -$5,531,070 | +$120,765 |
USA Cricket Revenue Breakdown
| Year | ICC Contributions | ACE Contract | Domestic (Events & Membership) | Sponsorship | Other |
| 2019 | $2,361,537 (58.2%) | $1,525,240 (37.6%) | $13,120 (0.3%) | $10,000 (0.2%) | $149,336 (3.7%) |
| 2020 | $1,449,456 (48.3%) | $1,439,800 (48.0%) | $182 (0.0%) | $5,000 (0.2%) | $104,414 (3.5%) |
| 2021 | $1,528,254 (58.0%) | $826,241 (31.4%) | $157,553 (6.0%) | $60,000 (2.3%) | $62,111 (2.4%) |
| 2022 | $2,056,036 (63.1%) | $422,000 (12.9%) | $313,303 (9.6%) | $316,959 (9.7%) | $149,139 (4.6%) |
| 2023 | $1,793,062 (55.5%) | $439,297 (13.6%) | $828,122 (25.6%) | $102,300 (3.2%) | $65,908 (2.0%) |
| 2024 | $4,392,619 (77.7%) | — | $1,219,005 (21.6%) | — | $40,211 (0.7%) |
Highlights
- $500,000 was invested in women’s cricket tournaments across ages which included 338 players across 24 teams.
- USA cricket membership grew 30% year-over-year to about 22,100 paid members in 2024.
Sources:
- USA Annual General Report 2024, 2023 Federal Tax Return, USA Financial Statements 2023, USA Cricket Pro Publica – Form 990
- USA Cricket Terminates relationship with ACE, Breach of Trust
- 17 Central Contracts – 2019
- 2024 Annual Report
Also Read: USA Cricket—The Complete Guide, I Asked the NCAA if Cricket Can Become an Official NCAA Sport, What is the Salary of a Major League Cricket player in the USA?
Embed from Getty ImagesOther Associates in Crisis
Oman
- The $225,000 prize money from the 2024 T20 World was not distributed to the 15-men squad for over a year, resulting in a dispute between the players and the board. By July 2025, with ICC pressure, the money was finally distributed.
- Players protested, and the board terminated 11 contracts. Since Oman residency is based on employment, this resulted in several players being forced to leave the country.
Kenya
- At the peak of its powers, Kenya reached the 2003 ODI World Cup semi-final, defeating Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe on the way.
- In the early 2000s, Kenya used to give central contracts with as many as 13 contracted players in 2011.
- Kenyan players went on strike after 2003 due to unpaid wages, did not play an ODI for 18 months, and the former Kenya Cricket Association was dissolved (replaced by Cricket Kenya).
- By 2014, Kenya had lost its ODI status. In 2018, they were relegated to Division III of the World Cricket League (WCL) and were suspended in 2019.
- In 2025, Kenya cricket faced financial irregularities. Due to noncompliance, ICC is now withholding funding to Kenya’s cricket board (as of March, 2026).
Sources:
- Financial Irregularities, ICC Kenya 2025 Annual Report, Cricket Kenya players reap financial rewards
- Downfall of Cricket Kenya: Emerging Cricket, Five Players turn down Kenya contracts, Kenyan Cricket Team Turns Professional – 1998
Papua New Guinea
- In 2014, PNG started offering 16 central contracts for their men’s team.
- PNG lost its ODI status in 2023, which meant an $800,000 ICC funding loss till 2028. Women’s programme is expected to lose $428,000.
- However, by that time, PNG had already hired two international coaches and setup overseas prep camps. This resulted in tensions with the players demanding the removal of the CEO.
- The game is still growing in the region with the number of junior hardball competitions increasing from about 20 teams in 2022 to upwards of 165 teams in 2023.
Sources: Cricket PNG Contracts, PNG Cricketers become full time professionals
IV. The Next Wave: The Associates Still Finding Their Feet
These nations are almost entirely ICC-dependent and have no central contracts.
American Prospects
- Argentina: Oldest cricket nation in the Americas, first match in 1868 (If not for the British commonwealth elitism, they could have been a Test nation). Two full-time staff, ~34 clubs, ICC funding is the primary source. Women’s Flamingos have won 5 of the 6 South American Championships and are the stronger program.
- Bermuda: Surplus of about ~$344,000 with total assets about $958,000 and $614,000 in liabilities. They earned a revenue of $1.38 Million in 2023, but with a total net loss of $190,000. 13 clubs, ICC funding ($675,000) and government grants ($259,000) are primary sources of funding. Dwayne Bravo helping out in dreams of Bermuda qualifying for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Sources: Bermuda Cricket Board – Year in Review, Brazil – Technical and Financial Management Report 2024
African Prospects
- Tanzania: Tanzania’s participation grew from 40,000 in 2022 to 73,300 in 2024 with 10 academies across the country. The country qualified for the U-19 World Cup for the first time in 2025.
Sources: Tanzania Development Report 2013, “We want Tanzania to be a leading Associate Nation” – Emerging Cricket, Tanzania Women’s Cricket
European Prospects
- Jersey: 405 males players across 56 teams, 3787 school participants, 200% growth in female players. No professional contracts. Defeated Scotland in a famous T20 World Cup qualifier win, but failed to qualify on NRR.
- Germany: The DCB targets 15,000 regular cricketers, 32 women’s hardball teams, a 300% increase in sponsor revenue, and a push for full DOSB (German Olympic Sports Confederation) membership, which would unlock public funding.
Spain and Denmark (qualified for the 1993 and 1997 Women’s World Cups) are also prospects but were left out of this analysis.
Sources: Jersey Cricket Strategy 2022-25, Germany Strategy 2021-25, Dansk Cricket Annual Magazine, Spain Strategy 2023-27
East Asia Pacific Prospects
- Thailand (women): The women’s team ranked as high as 10th in T20s and won gold at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. No central contracts, men’s game not up to the mark. Low government funding does not help either.
- Japan: Japan has zero central contracts or professional cricketers, yet still qualified for the U-19 2026 World Cup. A permanent cricket ground is being built in Nagoya. Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics has triggered Japan’s elevation to JOC first tier membership, meaning government-funded part-time staff — a doctor, coach, and trainer — will support the national programme for the first time.
- Hong Kong: Regularly qualify for the Asia Cup with reasonable domestic infrastructure and expatriate cricket population. Player emigration/relocation holds them back to go to the next stage.
- Fiji: One of the original Associate nations in 1965 and with a history of cricket in the early 1900s, cricket has not developed professionally in the country since. They reached the semi-finals of the first ACC in 1996 and hosted the South Pacific Games in 2003.
- Samoa: Ross Taylor’s return raised Samoa’s profile in the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifier. They reached the Super Six of the Asia-EAP Regional Final, but did not make the Top 3 cut. They have a strong women’s programme as well.
Note*: In the 2022 WC qualifier, Thailand failed to qualify even though they beat Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The tournament was cancelled midway due to COVID. A few months later, Thailand, Netherlands, PNG, Scotland, and the USA women teams were granted ODI status.
Sources:
- Japan Cricket Association (JCA) Strategy 2023-27, Emerging Cricket Piece
- Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong, Cricket Thailand 2004-2014 Annual Reports
Final Thoughts
Expanding the T20 World Cup to 20 teams was the right call by the ICC. But if the ICC genuinely dreams of building a 32-team competition that rivals the FIFA World Cup, it cannot afford to let its Associates survive on goodwill alone. Most are one bad financial year away from complete collapse.
So what is the fix?
The ICC should increase Associate funding so each Associate board (especially top-tiered nations) can guarantee 15 men and 15 women a full-time contract, indexed to the living wage in that country. The ICC already has the data and the resources. It just needs to be directly more deliberately.
The 2026 World Cup proved Associate cricket belongs on the global stage. The question is whether the ICC’s wallet will match its ambition.
****
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