It is easiest to see the need for change from the women’s game.
Until 2004, there were semi-consistent women’s Test matches. After the International Women’s Cricket Council merged with the ICC in 2005, focus shifted to popularizing ODI and later, T20I cricket.
The consequence?
Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine retired from their legendary careers without playing a single Test. It would be a shame if Melie Kerr also suffered the same fate.
Recently, one-off Tests have picked up as part of the multi-format. However, most of these nations lack a proper domestic first-class system and there is usually not enough preparation before the Tests.
The Schedule is out of Control
For the mens’ game, the problem is different.
Franchise T20 leagues, domestic tournaments, World Cups every year, meaningless bilaterals, and Test series for the WTC.
There is no time to breathe for players.
We could abolish the Champions Trophy (or combine CT & ODI WC into a single 10-12 team competition), only have T20 World Cups every 4 years, install a more robust qualification system, and scrap all limited over bilaterals. But that is a discussion for a different today.
Today, let us focus on fixing Test cricket.
The Structure
Here is my proposal: an international franchise Test league.
First, let’s scrap the World Test Championship and most bilateral Test series. A small number of historic rivalries, such as the Ashes and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, could be protected separately.
The franchise league could begin with:
Three women’s teams, six men’s teams
Two dedicated Test windows each year: Once in the Northern Hemisphere (June-August) and once in the southern hemisphere (Nov-February). No other league, T20, or ODI cricket will take place during this time.
The format will be 2 sets of round-robin, one in each window followed by a 3-match final for the top two teams in the league.
Each men’s team will play 10 matches (5 round-robin x 2 windows)
Each women’s team will play 4 matches (2 x 2)
There were 42 men’s Test matches in 2025. There will be 33 franchise matches, leaving space in the calendar for the friendly India-Australia-England tri-series (Ashes/BGT).
There was 1 women’s Test in 2025 and 3 in 2024. The franchise league would ensure 9 Tests a year and will will expand to 15 Tests when a 4th team is added in the future.
Three Women’s Team Franchise
For a tournament that would played in two different parts of the world over a long-period of time, teams will require depth.
Each team will consist of 20-25 players.
No more than 3 players from the same nation can feature in the XI and no more than 5 in the squad.
With only India-England-South Africa-Australia currently playing Tests, we can create about 3 solid teams. As players from more countries are introduced, the format can expand to four teams.
Team 1 (24)
Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Kim Garth, Tahlia McGrath, Jess Jonassen
Note: Bangladesh, Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Netherlands women teams were not considered for this exercise but players from these countries should also be eligible to enter the auction.
For the mean’s team, we can create at least six decent squads with plenty of players that were left out. As players continue to improve, this can expand from a six-team to an eight-team tournament.
Team 1 (20)
Australia: Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi
Bangladesh: Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain
England: Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed
India: Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan
Ireland: Harry Tector
New Zealand: Henry Nicholls
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Noman Ali
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (WK)
South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
West Indies: Joshua Da Silva (WK)
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran
Possible XI: 1. Ben Curran, 2. Jacob Bethell, 3. Henry Nicholls/Babar Azam, 4. Temba Bavuma (C), 5. Rishabh Pant, 6. Dinesh Chandimal/Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (WK), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Ebadot Hossain
Team 2 (23)
Australia: Travis Head, Scott Boland
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque, Hasan Mahmud
England: Jamie Smith (WK), Gus Atkinson
India: Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep
Ireland: Andy Balbirnie
New Zealand: Will Young, Blair Tickner
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (WK), Kasun Rajitha
South Africa: Dewald Brevis, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada
West Indies: Shai Hope (WK)
Zimbabwe: Innocent Kaia
Possible XI: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2. Travis Head, 3. Will Young, 4. Shai Hope (C), 5. Kusal Mendis, 6. Jamie Smith (WK), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Gus Atkinson, 10. Hasan Mahmud/Simon Harmer, 11. Scott Boland
Team 3 (21)
Australia: Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan: Azmatullah Omarzai
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed
England: Joe Root, Ollie Robinson
India: Dhruv Jurel (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar
Ireland: Lorcan Tucker (WK)
New Zealand: Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke
Pakistan: Mohammd Rizwan (WK), Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham
West Indies: Amir Jangoo
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett
Possible XI: 1. Tony de Zorzi/David Bedingham/Brian Bennett, 2. Pathum Nissanka, 3. Joe Root (C), 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Wiaan Mulder/Azmatullah Omarzai, 6. Washington Sundar, 7. Josh Inglis (WK), 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Josh Hazlewood, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Ollie Robinson
Team 4 (21)
Australia: Mitchell Starc
Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim, Nahid Rana
England: James Rew (WK), Shoaib Bashir
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel
Ireland: Mark Adair
New Zealand: Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips (WK), Kyle Jamieson
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel
Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva, Prabath Jayasuriya
We estimated that it takes about $350,000-$1.4 million to host a Test match.
So, for these 42 franchise Test matches (33 men, 9 women), it would take anywhere from $14.7 million-$58.8 million.
That sound’s like a lot of money, but the ICC has been doing pretty well recently (thanks to the CT and the annual World Cups). Currently, the ICC has reserves of a whopping $704,624,000. Surely, they can shell out a few million on a Test league. If all fails, a small portion from the BGT/Ashes broadcasting revenues could be shared with the ICC.
And even though most host nations apart from India-England-Australia lose money, the ICC has made a profit from the WTC Finals.
The World Test Championship Final of 2025 earned the ICC $35,398,000 in revenue and cost them about $21,749,000.
WTC
Revenue
Expenses
Profit
2021
+$36,318,000
-$12,469,000
+$23,849,000
2023
+$39,773,000
-$11,994,000
+$27,779,000
2025
+$35,398,000
-$21,749,000.
+$13,649,000
Turns out, if you market the product enough, build some context, and there is a will, then there is definitely a way.
Final Thoughts
What about Test cricket makes it worth watching? Is it the battle between bat and ball? Ebbs and flows? Or do we value the larger context, the history of series like the Ashes, and the overall aura of Test cricket?
I have absolutely no doubt that Test cricket will continue to survive. After all, people have been questioning Test cricket’s survival since the 1900s, and it has done well.
But will it survive beyond the Big 3? I am not so sure.
Franchise Test cricket alongside the various franchise domestic T20 leagues will surely break the social fabric of international cricket, but it might be worth to at least experiment and try to give a new look to the format.
Edinburgh, SCO—Relaxing by a pool, sipping red wine, taking a bite of an hors d’oeuvre, an ICC Board representative jumps up in ecstasy and shouts across the room: “What about a SUPER 7s?”
Another board member raises his dark sunglasses, pulls out a pen, scribbles out calculus on his napkin, and concurs: “That’s at least two more India-Pakistan matches. I’d prefer 64, but two takes us to the end of the broadcasting cycle.”
A third glances at his watch: “How much time do we have until the tournament? Fifteen months? And the World Cup qualifiers? Just a couple of months?”
All three grin and nod in unison.
“Good Enough.”
When the world was celebrating the final week of the FIFA World Cup, the ICC quietly announced changes to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
They thought cricket fans wouldn’t notice.
We did.
On paper, it remains a 14-team World Cup. In practice, the new format effectively turns it into a 12-team farce through a three-team ‘Super Series’ followed by a group stage and then a “Super 7s” stage.
So you’re telling me, associate sides have to play in a 3 year 50 over tournament, to qualify for a qualifier to qualify for another tri-series qualifier to then qualify for a World Cup. https://t.co/DzdlqS0tZG
We have seen the playbook before: eliminate jeopardy for the top-ranked teams, reduce the presence of Associate nations, and increase the likelihood of another India-Pakistan match, the ICC’s main cash cow.
Why the ICC made the decision is clear. But how had such a significant change even been approved?
Then I came across a question on X from cricket statistician, Kausthub Gudipati that demanded a closer look:
Can such decisions be passed without a vote from all full members and 3 associate representatives?
Or was it allowed since the format of Super-7s was never officially announced? (So it's still 14 teams on paper)
One of the memories that has stuck with me since elementary school is the Schoolhouse RoOne of the memories that has stuck with me since elementary school is the Schoolhouse Rock video, “I’m just a Bill.”
“I’m just a Bill, yes only a Bill, and I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill!”
For those who have not seen it, the cartoon explains just how difficult it is for a proposed bill to become law in the United States. Bills can die in committee, fail to pass either chamber of Congress or be vetoed by the President.
Similarly, the ICC has its own governance structure for making major decisions.
First, Who Actually Makes the Decision?
With Mauritius joining, the ICC now has 111 Members: 12 Full Members and 99 Associate Members.
ICC’s announcement confirmed that the World Cup format passed through at least two bodies: The Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) recommended the format, and the ICC Board approved it.
There may have been earlier stages of discussions that were not disclosed.
Chief Executives Committee – Each of the 12 Full Members appoints one representative, while Associate cricket is represented by 3 elected members.
ICC Board of Directors – 12 Full Member Directors, 3 Associate Member Directors, the ICC Chair, 1 Independent Director, and the ICC Chief Executive, who attends but does not vote.
Each of the 17 directors has one vote. Under Article 4.9, A Board resolution requires the support of at least two-thirds of voting members present and voting.
The 99 Associate Members are collectively represented by three of the Board’s 17 voting directors, while each 12 Full Member appoints its own director.
The Life of a Cricket Proposal
A proposal involving men’s international cricket could follow this path.
Step 1: The Proposal
May originate with the ICC Management, an ICC Member, or an ICC committee
We do not know who proposed the Super 7s
Step 2: Men’s Cricket Committee
Review proposals involving men’s cricket and ICC events
Discusses issues, make recommendations, but do not have final decision making authority
We do not know whether the men’s cricket committee reviewed the new WC format
Chair: Sourav Ganguly
Other Prominent Members: Temba Bavuma (current player), Scott Edwards, Desmond Haynes, Hameed Hassan, VVS Laxman, Jonathan Trott, Shaun Pollock
*Note: Scott Edwards voiced his disappointment with this decision. That does not prove that the committee was bypassed, but it makes the absence of an explanation striking.
Step 3: Chief Executives’ Committee
Attempts to reach a consensus
If consensus cannot be reached, members may vote (2/3 majority of those present and voting is required)
Make recommendations to the ICC board
The ICC confirmed that the CEC recommended the new format.
2025 CEC Associate Representatives: Anuraag Bhatnagar (Hong Kong), Gurdeep Klair (Canada), Gurumurthy Palani (France, now elected to the board),
Step 4: The ICC Board
Makes the final decision
2/3 support is needed from those present and voting
The ICC confirmed that the Board approved the new format
Elected in 2026: Palani, Usmani, and Dr. Rudie van Vuuren (Namibia)
Can three Associate representatives adequately speak for 99 Associate members, including nations with ODI status like Netherlands, Scotland, and Nepal that were directly affected by the new format?
But here’s the catch.
We still do not know whether the Super 7s proposal followed this exact pathway, who proposed it, whether anyone objected or how the Board members voted.
The ICC’s governance documents explain how decisions can be moved, but they do not shed light on how this particular decision was taken.
According to Article 4.9 (C) of the Articles of Association, every Board decision must be entered into the Board minutes’s book. Those records, however, are not required to be published.
Separately, Article 11 requires the proceedings and minutes of format ICC Members’ meetings to remain confidential.
In other words, internal records exist.
The public simply cannot see it.
The UN Has its Flaws. Documentation is Not One of Them
The UN Digital Library provides voting records for resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and Security Council since 1946. Some resolutions are adopted without a vote. Others follow debates, proposed amendments, and formal votes.
Either way, the outcome is recorded.
Take the extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan as an example. The public record includes the original draft resolution, official meeting record, and the complete voting record. We can see the Security Council approved the extension by a vote of 15-0 in March 2026.
You do not have to agree or disagree with a decision to understand how it was made.
FIFA: Love It, Hate It, But You Can’t Ignore It
In 2010, Russia was awarded the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup behind closed doors. Five years later, corruption investigations engulfed the organization. Several FIFA officials were arrested, and President Sepp Blatter resigned.
FIFA needed to repair its image.
So for the 2026 World Cup host selection, FIFA held a public voting, which was contested between USA-Mexico-Canada and Morocco.
North America received 134 votes, Morocco 65, and and one association voted for neither. FIFA also published the complete voting results here.
Now, FIFA is not perfect. Some days, a red card is reversed due to political interference. On other days, President Infantino reveals plans to sell stakes related to the World Cup out of nowhere.
FIFA’s decision to expand the WC from 32 to 48 teams was approved unanimously by the FIFA Council and released via a press conference. The underlying study was never published, but FIFA disclosed that:
“The decision was taken following a thorough analysis, based on a report that included four different format options. The study took into account such factors as sporting balance, competition quality, impact on football development, infrastructure, projections on financial position and the consequences for event delivery”
That is not complete transparency, but it at least it tells that some deliberation went into the decision.
FIFA is not the only sporting organization that is moving in this direction.
We are not asking ICC to invent a new standard. We are asking them to meet one that already exists.
Transparency Around the World: The Push for Accountability
Asking for transparency is not a new phenomenon.
In the early 2000s, a series of major accounting scandals damaged public trust in American companies. In response, the US government passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002, commonly known as SOX. Among other reforms, SOX requires senior executives of publicly traded companies to certify the financial and information contained in their annual and quarterly reports.
SOX did not directly apply to ICC or FIFA, but laws and standards like it helped make regular financial disclosure the norm for major organizations around the world.
Today, publishing financial reports is simply expected. You can find ICC and FIFA‘s reports here.
From Financial Reporting to Governance
Following the 2008 financial crisis, attention shifted beyond financial reporting to a broader question: How were major organizations being governed?
Just like SOX, governance standards will become expectations for major global organization. There is no reason ICC or any sporting organization should be exempt.
The Ask is Simple
Transparency does not mean live streaming every conversation or disclosing sensitive information. Some conversations should remain private.
However, certain decisions demand a little more than a brief press release. When the ICC makes major decisions like fundamentally changing the World Cup format, the public should be able to answer a few basic questions:
Who proposed the change?
Was there data or a research study to back the new decision?
The most open World Cup of the summer starts tomorrow. And no, it’s not the FIFA World Cup or the NBA Finals.
Australia arrive at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup trophyless in the last two events, New Zealand are the defending champs, India are coming on the back of the ODI WC victory, South Africa have been recent finalists, and England are hosting.
The field is bigger too: 12 teams for the first time with the Netherlands making their debut.
Australia: Two World Cups, No Trophy. Can They Reclaim Their Crown?
Recent Form: LWLWWW (latest)
Stats at a Glance
Average Age: 28.4
# of Left Handers in Top 7: 2
# of Bowling Options in XI: 8
Strengths: The all-rounders. In Sutherland, McGrath, Perry, and Harris, they have the best collection of all-rounders assembled in this World Cup, maybe ever. Balanced bowling attack with left arm spin, an offspinner, couple of leg spinners, and pace brigade, including Hamilton’s left arm seam.
Weaknesses: Team in Transition. With Lanning & Healy retired, how will Molineux turn up as captain? After losing out on 2024 T20WC & 2025 ODI WC, can they come back to winning ways?
News/Injuries: Darcie Brown was left out. No major injuries in the squad as of now.
Rest of Squad: Nicola Carey, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Tahlia Wilson (WK – Traveling Reserve)
X-factor: Georgia Voll, coming off her first T20I century, will partner already promising Phoebe Litchfield at the top. And Alana King: won’t be surprised if she takes a 5-fer and her unplayable leg breaks go viral at least once this tournament.
Broken Dream? Last World Cup for Megan Schutt. Will Ellyse Perry & Mooney follow?
Strengths: Continuity and spin. The Bangladesh team have played 14 matches this year although half of them were in the Global Qualifier. With Nahida Akter and Meghla’s left arm orthodox and leg spin options in Rabeya Khan & Fahima Khatun, they have a strong spin unit.
Weaknesses: The top order. Against Sri Lanka and the losses against Scotland & Netherlands, Bangladesh scored 136, 133,133, 154 respectively. Captain Sultana has had to do a bulk of the work with inconsistent top order.
News/Injuries: Taj Nehar comes back at the expense of Sarmin Sultana.
Rest of Squad: Sanjida Akter Meghla, Taj Nehar, Fariha Trisna, Sultana Khatun
X-factor: Their right arm pacer, Marufa Akter. The 21-year old already has 41 T20Is under her belt and can set the tone on which the spinners can capitalize.
Broken Dream? Can Bangladesh get out of the group with Australia, India, and South Africa?
Strengths: The bowling line up and the leadership unit. In Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Charlie Dean, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, they have a good leadership group. In Lauren Bell & Filer, Issy Wong, they have strong pace depth alongside the spin pair of Ecclestone-Dean. Plenty of part-time options as well.
Weaknesses: Unsettled top order. Dunkley is averaging 16.3 this year. Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Bouchier (not in the main squad), Sciver-Brunt, and Wyatt-Hodge have all played recently at the top without a consistent run.
News/Injuries: Sophia Dunkley is coming back from a knee injury. Nat Sciver-Brunt is returning from an Achilles injur and may carry a reduced bowling load. Danni Wyatt-Hodge is coming back from maternity leave.
Expected XI: 1. Amy Jones (WK), 2. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), 4. Alice Capsey, 5. Heather Knight, 6. Freya Kemp, 7. Charlie Dean, 8. Sophie Ecclestone, 9. Linsey Smith, 10. Issy Wong, 11. Lauren Bell
X-factor: Freya Kemp. Striking at 139.77, her confidence will be high after the 39*(13) vs India.
Broken Dream? England are hosting for the first time since 2009, which is the only time they have a won this World Cup. 17 years later, anything short of repeating would break a generation of hearts.
Strengths: With Mandhana and Shafali, India has a strong top order. On paper, Reddy-Gaud-Renuka is a strong pace unit.
Weaknesses: Lack of a winning run. India has lost a couple of T20Is against England and South Africa recently. In matches India have lost, either India have not picked wickets while defending or the middle order has stalled while chasing.
News/Injuries: Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (knee) were not picked due to injuries.
Rest of Squad: Shreyanka Patil, Nandani Sharma, Radha Yadav
X-factor: Shree Charani has slowly become central to India’s spin unit. On the batting front, hard to look beyond Smriti Mandhana. In England, she has one century, 5 fifties, SR of 139.48 to go along with an average of 38.23
Broken Dream? After the 2025 ODI WC win, the success of the WPL, and even the back-to-back men’s T20 World Cup win, Indian fans expect nothing else. But will they even get out of the group with Australia and South Africa?
Strengths: Top Order. Amy Hunter, Prendergast, and Stokell all played key roles in Ireland’s recent win against Pakistan. Add captain Gaby Lewis, and this is a strong looking batting line up.
Weaknesses: Lack of firepower.Ireland’s recent scores (including T20WC warm up): 143, 120, 103, 121, 143, 144, and 154 with one 177 against Pakistan as the outlier.
News/Injuries: Laura Delany, backbone of Ireland over the last few years, has been withdrawn from the team due to an injury. Alice Tector replaces her. Right arm pacer, Jane Maguire, has been ruled out with an injury. Captain Lewis was rested for the Pakistan/West Indies tri series due to a leg injury.
Expected XI: 1. Amy Hunter (WK), 2. Alana Dalzell, 3. Gaby Lewis (C), 4. Orla Prendergast, 5. Rebecca Stokell, 6. Leah Paul, 7. Louise Little, 8. Alice Tector, 9. Ava Canning, 10. Aimee Maguire, 11. Cara Murray
Rest of Squad: Christina Coulter Reilly (WK), Georgina Dempsey, Arlene Kelly, Lara McBride
X-factor: 19-year-old left arm spinner, Aimee Maguire. In the warm-up match vs Bangladesh, she opened the bowling and ended with figures of 4-0-20-4.
Broken Dream? Laura Delany, injured on the eve of a near-home World Cup. At 33, she may never get a better chance than this one.
Strengths: Leg spin. With over 70 T20Is each to their name, legspinners Caroline de Lange and Silver Siegers form the core of their bowling line up.
Weaknesses: Potential to collapse. Against Ireland earlier this year, they were bundled out for 45 and vs Bangladesh in February, they collapsed to 5/23 before lower order revival.
Strengths: The dynamic all-rounders, Melie Kerr & Sophie Devine. Their form will largely define New Zealand’s journey this year. Kerr was the player of the 2024 WC. Do not be surprised if she repeats the magic again.
Weaknesses: Batting form. In the England series, NZ were bundled for 80, 13/2 in another, and reduced to 11/4 before Devine rescued them.
News/Injuries: Eden Carson, central to the 2024 WC win, misses the World Cup with partial ligament rupture in elbow.
X-factor: Isabella Gaze. Against Zimbabwe earlier this year, she scored 66*(50), 85*(54), and 38*(20). If she has a couple of these types of innings, the White Ferns have a good chance of making the semi-finals again.
Broken Dream? The last dance for Bates, Devine, and Tahuhu. All-time greats are about to say goodbye.
Strengths: Fatima Sana is the heart of this team now. Finish power, pace bowling, and captain.
Weaknesses: Lack of wicket-taking form. In the warm-ups, Pakistan conceded 169 vs Sri Lanka but only took 1 wicket. They could only take 5 Scotland wickets as well.
News/Injuries: Fatima Sana scored the fastest 50 (15 balls) in women’s T20Is against Zimbabwe.
Strengths: In-form batting. 163/5, 187/5, and 134/2 (15.4) in the winning chase vs Bangladesh have been some of their recent shows.
Weaknesses: Lack of bowling experience. Fontenla (3 T20Is), Abel (28), Gordon (9) are fairly new and will have to provide adequate support to Maqsood and Chatterji.
News/Injuries: No major injury news, squad at full-strength.
Strengths: Experience. Wolvaardt, Luus, Kapp, Khaka, Ismail, Tryon, Van Niekerk have formed the core of the team that has taken South Africa across to the finals. The band is back together.
Weaknesses: Unsettled XI. With players returning from injury and break, the middle order has not yet settled down, which could be an issue in nervy chases.
News/Injuries: Shabnim Ismail and earlier, Dane van Niekerk, have come out of retirement and have made the WC squad. Van Niekerk is coming back from a calf injury and Marizanne Kapp is coming back from illness.
Strengths: The Top Order. Gunaratne (63*), Athapaththu (94, 42, 41), Samarawickrama (49, 61), Silva (22*), Dulani (55, 52), Karunaratne (54) have all been among the runs recently.
Weaknesses: Lack of gametime against top teams. They have played only six T20Is this year, three each against Bangladesh and West Indies. England, NZ, and WI await in Group 2.
News/Injuries: Shashini Gimhani misses out due to a back injury.
Strengths: Experience and bowling flexibility. In Matthews-Dottin-Taylor, they have bonafide match winners. Another key aspect is the number of part-timers the West Indies possess. Almost all the batters can bowl part-time off-spin or medium pace.
Weaknesses: Lack of pace depth.
News/Injuries: Full strength, no major injury concerns.
X-factor: Hayley Matthews. If she can provide consistent aggressive starts at the top, then the team has a chance to challenge for a semi-final spot.
Broken Dream? Afy Fletcher is now 39, potentially representing the West Indies for the final time in a World Cup. With over 200 international appearances, she has been a stalwart for West Indies cricket.
There is no one clear favorite for this World Cup.
I am excited about the rising stars and a potential open World Cup we may have. On a given day, any team can challenge another. Here are some of my predictions:
#MostRuns: Hayley Matthews
#MostWickets: Sree Charani
#PlayeroftheWC: Ash Gardner
#RisingStar: Aimee Maguire
#Top4: Australia, South Africa, England, New Zealand
“Don’t run too hard. One more injury, and you’re done for good.”
“Breathe,” I say to myself quietly. I am sweating already, and the match has not even started. Why did I ever think this was a good idea?
This is recreational indoor soccer.
And yet, fear takes over me.
****
Two decades earlier, there is a nine-year-old boy in Mumbai.
At this age, cricket is his whole life. He talks cricket, he walks cricket, and yes, he plays cricket too.
He has spent a couple of years in his school team. Batting at number three, he stays till the end and wins a match for his team.
Full of confidence. Dreams brewing.
And then, just like that, it is time to move to the United States.
He leaves excited. But little did he know that his days of playing cricket with a team are over. Backyard games with his brother will have to do.
That boy is me. One of the many with a Broken Cricket Dream.
****
Roll forward to March 2015. The Cricket World Cup is in the air. ‘Tell Me You Got the Power’ is on TV and in our souls.
It’s a beautiful sunny Spring Sunday, the eve of the Pakistan vs Australia quarter final. I decide to channel my inner Rahat Ali, the left arm quick, in my backyard.
I run in. Jump. And Crack.
This was not a regular ankle twist I could just walk off.
Yep, you read that right. I had a career ending injury playing an imaginary game all by myself.
On a bright note, I was able to watch each and every ball of this match resting on my sofa, the match that produced one of cricket’s great spells, Wahab Riaz versus Shane Watson. And who dropped Watson’s catch during this intense spell? You guessed it right. Rahat Ali.
Anyway, I digress.
College would come and go. The desire to play never left, and I would casually play badminton, tennis, racquetball, or volleyball. But the moment I pushed myself to play a high impact sport like basketball, the story would repeat.
Left ankle, right heel. Ten years, same story. Lack of warmup, one bad landing, back on crutches.
Same old, same old.
****
Soccer was my next favorite sport to watch on TV after cricket. I played with friends as a kid, but nothing more than that.
Playing FIFA for 20 years was the most soccer experience I had, and I was average at that.
Honestly, I thought I had missed the bus. Never tried out in school, never played in a club.
Last year, I found out about an indoor soccer facility and signed up for a pickup membership. What is the worst that could happen?
Some days, it was intense 5 v 5s. Other days, casual 2 v 2s. And sometimes, just me, a soccer ball, and an empty ground for an hour.
Something was starting to click. But two months in, warmed up, with ankle support and all, I still managed to fall over and hurt my heel. Out for a couple of months.
This time, I thought it was really over. Maybe sports writing is what I was meant to do.
****
The great thing about the American Midwest is you are practically hibernating for the winter. This gave me some time to reflect.
What if I gave sports one final shot? So, I signed up for the recreational soccer league as a free agent. An actual league with a referee and a scoreboard.
Alright, back to the first game of the season. My first official match at any level at the age of 29. Voices running in my head.
Then, the whistle blows.
One pass, then another. I am gassed out in five minutes. But an hour later, we miraculously win a last-minute 6–5 game after being down 0–5 at half time.
What a feeling. Celebrating with a group of people I did not know at all.
The season has not lived up to Game 1. Somewhere between the losses and the missed goals though, pieces are falling into place. Teammates are becoming friends, we are playing as a team, and my stamina? Well, it’s getting there, no longer huffing and puffing every two minutes.
Somewhere along this journey, I stumbled upon a sense of self-belief that I never knew existed within me.
As Henry Ford once said,
“One of the greatest discoveries a person makes, one of their great surprises, is to find they can do what they were afraid they couldn’t do.”
What began as a broken dream turned out to be an exercise in overcoming fear.
****
Thank you for reading. If you like this, you may also enjoy:
148 Years. 713 pages. 35 Chapters. Not a single wasted word. Tim Wigmore’s Test Cricket: A History is the history this game always deserved.
Read It For
A deep, well-researched history. You are bound to learn something new regardless of your cricketing background.
Wigmore’s writing range: Storytelling, stats and trivia, humor, philosophy, journalism, all in one.
Do Not Read It For
A quick read. This book is a commitment, so pace yourself accordingly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Spoiler Alert: If you are not a cricket fan, everything coming up here will be a spoiler.
****
Will Test cricket survive? The perennial question.
I thought this was just the sentiment from the past 50 years with the advent of ODI cricket and more recently, T20 cricket. After reading this book, I learned that Test cricket surviving to this day is nothing short of a miracle.
Test Cricket: A History takes on the almost impossible task of synthesizing a story that spans two centuries and six continents without losing its grip on you.
I bought this last summer and finally completed it last month. There were times when months went by before I picked it up again. Never once did I feel lost returning to it.
The book is organized in such a way that you can start at any point. Want to understand the significance of Bazball? Start toward the end. Want to dive into the controversies? Jump to chapter 20 (How to Buy a Test Match). Each chapter is its own world.
The only other book that I have read with similar depth and breadth is India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha. What Guha’s book does with India’s survival as a nation-state and its complex geopolitical history, Wigmore does with Test cricket.
Wigmore balances what moments to pick and which players to spotlight without going overboard.
From Victor Trumper’s century before lunch all the way to Donald vs Atherton and Mitchell Johnson scarring an entire England generation, the moments are chosen with precision and described with vivid imagery. Certain teams, quartets, and allrounders are given room to breathe, while players like Warne, Tendulkar, and Murali get their own dedicated chapters.
What sets this apart from other books is the writing style. It is not a bunch of Wikipedias glued together. There is storytelling, anecdotes, interviews Wigmore conducted himself, and excerpts from cricket writers of yesteryear. The witty chapter titles alone convey the tone: “Cricket’s Uncivil Wars” and “The Impossible Job.”
No book of this scope can cover everything. I would have loved a deeper dive into Sandpapergate, one of the most dramatic moments in modern Test cricket. But that is a minor gripe.
This book has something for every kind of cricket reader. The technical purist interested in how reverse swing and the wobble seam work, the historian fascinated by the lore of Bodyline, the philosopher, and the fan who just wants to argue about who was the best since Bradman.
The philosophy is what stayed with me the most. The “in-built second chance” and “the prolonged duel” as an “essential part of Test cricket’s allure.” And Wigmore’s reminder that even 150 years since its inception, through Bodyline and Bazball, fans are still arguing about how this format should be played.
A Fan’s Honest Reckoning: What This Book Left Me With
What does a cricket fan who started watching in 2003 take away from a book that begins in 1877?
The final chapters felt familiar because I had lived through that timeline. The early chapters, however, sent me down rabbit holes: the first official Test or the abandoned Timeless Test of 1939 that had to be called off because England’s ship home was leaving.
Then there was history I knew on the surface but had never fully understood the impact.
Case in point: Kerry Packer. I had heard about World Series Cricket but did not know about the ins and outs of broadcasting and how Packer changed cricket as we know it. I had always heard about the great West Indies Test team, but how exactly did they get there, and more importantly, what factors both on and off the field contributed to their downfall? Reading these 1970s and 80s chapters would spark follow-up conversations with my dad: “Who did you prefer, Botham, Imran, Kapil, or Hadlee?”
And then there was history I did not see coming. The Hendricks Law and South Africa’s checkered past. Abraham Lincoln watching a cricket match between Chicago and Milwaukee. And Nobel Laureate Samuel Beckett, whose Waiting for Godot was one of my favorite reads in college, playing two first-class matches.
This is what the book does. It reaches into corners you did not know existed.
Final Thoughts
I can foresee spin-offs of the history of ODI World Cups, the Ashes, or County Cricket. Wigmore himself acknowledges that the women’s game deserves its own study.
What excites me is the version of this book that will be written thirty years from now. Three more Test nations, a prospering WTC, cricket in America & Argentina, and another generation of moments no one saw coming.
And to the larger question, will Test cricket survive? It has outlasted empires. I have no doubt it will endure.
This book is an exception. Solid five out of five. Get your copy now.
Note: The purchase link above is not an affiliate link. BCD does not earn any commission from purchases.
Title Name: Test Cricket: A History
Publisher Summary:
“Test cricket is on the cusp of its 150th anniversary. For the first time, Test Cricket: A History tells the full, gripping story of the players and stories that have shaped the game’s evolution since 1877. Award-winning author Tim Wigmore brings to life both Test cricket on the pitch and the game’s social significance around the world. This captivating tour is illuminated by dozens of exclusive interviews with the game’s greatest players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Pat Cummins, Michael Holding, Muttiah Muralidaran, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Chappell, Dale Steyn and Rahul Dravid.
From Bodyline to Bazball, the golden age to the rise of West Indies, and Shane Warne to Ian Botham, readers will come to appreciate Test cricket’s remarkable history like never before.”
Author: Tim Wigmore
Length: 713 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Quercus
Chapters:
Introduction: The cruellest game
1: A mad idea
2: Two become three: the emergence of South Africa
3: The Golden Age – or Test cricket’s great missed opportunity?
4: The greatest opening pair
5: Three become six: Test cricket opens up
6: Bradman, Bodyline, and the Invincibles
7: No rations any more
8: The emergence of Pakistan
9: Cricket, lovely cricket
10: Captaincy: a tale of class
11: The South Africa question
12: Tiger and the quartet
13: The rise of West Indies
14: Cricket’s uncivil wars
15: The impossible job
16: The oracle: the story of reverse swing
17: No longer just a whistlestop
18: Shane Warne and the resurgence of leg spin
19: The road less travelled
20: How to buy a Test match
21: The two ages of Tendulkar
22: The magic and mystery of Murali
23: The transformation of wicketkeeping
24: Expansionism and its discontents
25: England learns to expect
26: The great team hiding in plain sight
27: The slow rise of the Tigers
28: How umpires and technology changed Test cricket
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
II. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
