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In a major move to strengthen Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering setting up a special fund worth about $15 million from 2025.
The initiative was driven primarily by Cricket Australia chairman Mark Baird and was strongly supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
It is designed to help cricket boards outside the big three of India, Australia and England compete with the increasingly lucrative franchise leagues. The goal is to ensure those boards are able to call up more top talent for Test cricket.
The proposed central fund, which will provide players from all participating countries with a minimum playing fee of about $10,000 (about 20,000 Bahraini dinars), is expected to be completed before Christmas and is scheduled to be fully operational next year.
This financial support is crucial to making Test cricket more attractive to players who often prioritize playing shorter-format games for higher incomes. In addition, the fund can also significantly reduce the financial burden on smaller cricket boards, which often operate at a loss when hosting or playing red-ball tournaments.
The fund has received strong support from key figures such as BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and ECB Chairman Richard Thompson. Although the fund is still in its early stages and has not been formally discussed by the ICC board or executive committee, Baird remains optimistic about its future.
“It’s great to see the Test Cricket Fund gaining momentum,” Baird told The Sydney Morning Herald. “We need to remove barriers and encourage test cricket to become the pinnacle of the sport. Even as new forms of white-ball cricket continue to grow, it’s vital to protect its history and heritage.”
The move comes as the financial disparity between cricket boards becomes increasingly apparent. Earlier this year, for example, outgoing West Indies Cricket Board CEO Johnny Greve revealed their tour of Australia had cost the board $2 million. To help address this financial pressure, the West Indies Cricket Board has taken steps to bridge the gap, making Zimbabwe the first country in modern history to receive a “tour fee” which will be paid for a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge in May 2025.
Speaking further on the matter, Greve said: “We will not throw money at any player to make them turn down franchise leagues or force them to sign a contract to play Test cricket or one-day international cricket.”
Outlining the board’s stance, the outgoing CEO said: “If you want to play the ILT20 or SA20 this year instead of going to Australia, good luck, this is your NOC. We sincerely hope that any of our current T20 players will do well in these overseas leagues and work hard as it forms part of their individual preparation for the T20 World Cup.
“But when you come back, if you want to play Test matches or One-Day International cricket, then you have to accept that someone else will be picked in your place and it depends on their performance and your preparation and performance, that will determine whether you get picked again or not.”
He concluded: “Every player has their own choice. As a board, we will be consistent. We will not force any player to do anything they don’t want to do. We respect their ability to make their choice.
These efforts highlight the growing need for reciprocal agreements and financial support among cricket boards. For example, the Caribbean Cricket Board added three T20I matches to its 2023 limited-overs tour of the Caribbean, which is good for the region’s economy. In addition, as part of a goodwill gesture for the West Indies Test series in England last month, the Caribbean Cricket Board will facilitate a tour of West Indies Under-19 players to England in the future. (JC)
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