Cricket

The T20 World Cup is poised to surpass the 50-over World Cup as the most coveted ICC event among players worldwide, according to a recent survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association (WCA).In 2019, 85% of players ranked the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, while only 15% chose the T20 World Cup. However, in 2024, the preference shifted dramatically, with only 50% selecting the 50-over World Cup, compared to 35% who opted for the T20 World Cup and 15% who chose the World Test Championship.Among players under 26, the trend is even more pronounced. In 2019, 86% picked the 50-over World Cup, while only 14% chose the T20 World Cup. In 2024, just 49% said the 50-over World Cup, while 41% picked the T20 World Cup and 10% chose the World Test Championship.The survey also revealed a broader shift in preferences across the game. Five years ago, 82% of respondents picked Test cricket as the most important format, while 11% chose T20. This year, only 48% of players chose Test cricket compared to 30% who said T20.The WCA's survey included responses from around 330 professional players from 13 different countries, the majority of whom are current internationals. The data is skewed by a higher proportion of female respondents in 2024, but the WCA says the trends hold true when isolating responses from male players.Tom Moffat, WCA's chief executive, believes that the rapid evolution of the game presents challenges of leadership and scheduling. He emphasizes the need for collective discussions involving players to address these issues."The players drive and are invested in the game's success, and their decisions are shaping its future," Moffat said. "The WCA and the ICC recently renegotiated players' squad terms for the next four years of ICC events, which cover commercial and image rights. A deal was struck in the days leading up the T20 World Cup after many months of negotiations and the WCA believe the new collective model will benefit players from smaller nations."