Cricket

Lalit Modi, the visionary behind the Indian Premier League (IPL), has cast doubt on the financial viability of the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) Hundred tournament. In a scathing post on social media, Modi leaked confidential financial projections and team valuations, accusing the ECB of being "disconnected from reality."Modi's intervention comes as the ECB seeks private investment for the Hundred, which has faced delays in securing equity sales. Despite Modi's initial interest in the tournament, he now dismisses the ECB's projections as "dangerously overambitious and unsustainable."Modi acknowledges the potential growth of the ECB's domestic TV rights but questions the Hundred's international appeal. He argues that the tournament faces stiff competition from established leagues like the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, and Major League Cricket."The Hundred's teams are projected to be worth a mere £5 million to £25 million in the best-case scenario," Modi wrote. "Worse still, it struggles to match even the Caribbean Premier League's profitability."Modi's criticism is significant as he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing T20 cricket with the IPL. The IPL's media rights recently fetched a record US$6.2 billion, making it the world's second-most valuable sports league on a per-game basis.The ECB has anticipated pushback on its financial projections but points to Modi's previous interest as proof of concept. However, Modi's latest comments raise concerns about the Hundred's long-term viability.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking private investment for its Hundred franchises, but the process may extend beyond the initial target of 2025. Vikram Banerjee, director of business operations at the ECB, emphasized the importance of finding the right partners and valuations.Each of the eight hosting counties holds a 51% stake, with the remaining 49% available for sale by the ECB. The proceeds will be distributed among first-class counties, Marylebone Cricket Club, and the recreational game.The ECB is collaborating with host venues to assess potential investors, including GMR Group, which has expressed interest in acquiring Hampshire's stake in Southern Brave. However, the governing body has warned Hampshire that it could lose its stake if GMR does not pay a fair market price.The ECB has received promising interest from investors, including those from India and the US. The board seeks buyers who can contribute expertise in global engagement, sporting operations, and in-ground experience.While the plan is to announce investments by early 2025, Banerjee acknowledged that the process could take longer. He did not rule out a partial sale, but believes the current level of interest suggests that all teams will find suitable partners.London Spirit is expected to be the most sought-after franchise due to its prestigious venue, Lord's. However, the ECB will not rush into a decision and will hold onto teams if the right partners are not found.The Hundred's current media rights are fixed until 2028, and a salary cap ensures a level playing field. Expansion of the competition to include additional teams is unlikely before 2029, as the ECB wants to assess the growth and sustainability of the tournament.

England's women cricketers have taken a significant step towards gender parity with the announcement that minimum starting salaries in domestic cricket will be equalized across the men's and women's professional games from 2025. This move aligns with the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which called for a "fundamental overhaul" of the pay structure in women's cricket.The equalization of salaries will apply to both 'Rookie' level, which is being introduced into the women's game for the first time, and 'Senior Pro' level for established first-team players. This decision reflects the ECB's commitment to providing equal opportunities for young players considering cricket as a career choice.The announcement comes after the ICEC report revealed that the average England Women's salary was significantly lower than their male counterparts. The report set targets for equalizing pay at domestic level by 2029 and for internationals by 2030.In addition to equalizing starting salaries, the ECB has also confirmed that the eight Tier 1 counties in the new women's competition will have minimum squad sizes of 15 contracted players. Each first-class county is required to invest at least £500,000 on player salary costs in 2025, with a salary cap of £800,000 per year agreed for those clubs.Emma Reid, PCA Director of Player Rights and Women's Cricket, welcomed the announcement, stating that it is a "big step towards reaching parity." She emphasized that the PCA remains committed to achieving full parity across all areas of the professional game.The equalization of minimum starting salaries is a testament to the growing recognition of the value and talent of women cricketers. It is a positive step towards creating a more equitable and sustainable environment for women's cricket in England and Wales.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has sparked controversy by suggesting that legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would have been forced to retire if he were an England player. Panesar's comments come amidst a debate over the treatment of veteran players by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England, believes that Ashwin, 38, would not have been overlooked in favor of younger players if he were English. He pointed to the recent retirement of James Anderson, who called it quits at the age of 41. Many experts believe that Anderson was forced to retire due to his age."They experiment more. If Ashwin was English right now, then they would have told him to retire because they want to bring youngsters who have the potential to play. But I think England experiments more, and they like to experiment," Panesar told ANI.Panesar's comments echo those of former England coach David Lloyd, who blasted the ECB for "forcing out" Anderson. Lloyd wrote in his column that Anderson was "forced out because of his age."Panesar also expressed his belief that Australian spin maestro Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Ashwin. "I think I see Nathan Lyon in my opinion. Yes, he is a better bowler. But I think Ashwin is a better bowler in India. I think he thinks like a batter when he bowls," Panesar said.Panesar's comments have sparked a debate about the treatment of veteran players in cricket. Some believe that teams should be more willing to retain experienced players, while others argue that it is important to give younger players a chance to develop.

England Women's cricket captain Heather Knight has been reprimanded and fined £1000 by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) for a photo of her in blackface from 2012. The photo, taken at a fancy-dress party, was deemed as racist and discriminatory conduct.Knight, who was 21 at the time, promptly accepted the charges and apologized for her conduct. She stated that she was not aware of the implications of her actions at the time and that she deeply regrets her mistake.The CDC accepted that Knight did not post the photo on social media herself and has no control over how it has been posted. However, the commission reiterated that the photo was "plainly prejudicial to the interests of cricket, brought the game and Ms Knight into disrepute, and undermined the ECB's strategic objective of eradicating discrimination from the sport."Knight's fine is suspended for two years pending her future conduct. The CDC stated that this is a specific case and is unlikely to set a precedent. The commission took into account Knight's lack of previous disciplinary issues, her unpaid ambassadorial work around diversity and inclusion, and her completion of the Professional Cricketers' Association's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training in 2021.Dave Lewis, interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said: "Cricket is working to become a more inclusive sport and the Cricket Regulator is committed to acting positively and impartially whenever racist behavior is reported to us.""In this case, Ms Knight's behavior was discriminatory and offensive, however the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) accepted there was no racist intent in her conduct. I welcome her acknowledgment of the potential impact of her behavior, and her unreserved apology."Knight has expressed her commitment to using her platform to promote inclusivity in cricket and ensure that underrepresented groups are afforded the same opportunities as others.

England's top women's cricket teams will embark on a new era in 2025, with the introduction of the Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One-Day Cup, mirroring the competitions played by their male counterparts. This alignment aims to enhance the visibility and growth of women's cricket in England.The Vitality Blast Women's Finals Day will crown the T20 champions, while the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will feature semi-finals and a final. The eight teams competing in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will represent Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, and The Blaze (representing Nottinghamshire and surrounds).The Vitality Blast will feature eight teams: Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire), Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, and The Blaze. Yorkshire will join the top flight in 2026, followed by Glamorgan in 2027.A knockout cup competition will also be introduced in 2025, involving teams from all three tiers of the women's domestic structure. This will provide opportunities for counties at all levels to compete against each other.Beth Barrett-Wild, ECB director of the women's professional game, emphasized the importance of aligning the men's and women's competitions: "By putting our men's and women's competitions and players on the same platform, we can exponentially increase the reach of the women's domestic game and intensify the depth of feeling fans have for our women's teams moving forwards."The new structure will see an investment of £8m per year into women's domestic cricket by 2027, bringing the total annual investment to £19m. This funding is expected to increase the number of professional female players in England and Wales by 80% by 2029.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering establishing a dedicated fund to bolster Test cricket and level the playing field for boards outside the "Big Three" (India, Australia, and England). This initiative aims to provide a minimum standard match fee of approximately US $10,000 for players across all Test-playing nations.The fund, driven by Cricket Australia chair Mark Baird and supported by the BCCI and ECB, is intended to make Test cricket more appealing to players who may otherwise opt for more lucrative franchise leagues. It would also reduce the financial burden on less-wealthy boards, which often incur losses when hosting Test matches.The fund is expected to be in the region of US $15 million and has the backing of BCCI secretary Jay Shah and ECB chair Richard Thompson. It is currently in its formative stages and has not yet been formally discussed by the ICC board or executive committee.Baird expressed optimism about the fund's potential, stating, "We need to take away the barriers and encourage Test cricket to be the best of the best. To retain that history and that legacy, which goes alongside the newer forms of white-ball cricket."The ECB has already implemented a similar concept, agreeing to pay Zimbabwe a "touring fee" for their upcoming Test match at Trent Bridge. This move reflects the growing recognition that boards need to find ways to make Test cricket financially viable for all nations.The ICC's proposed fund would be a significant step towards ensuring that Test cricket remains a vibrant and competitive format. It would provide a financial incentive for players to prioritize Test cricket and help to level the playing field for boards outside the "Big Three."

The Hundred, the ECB's flagship T20 competition, has completed its fourth season, albeit with mixed results. While the women's tournament continues to thrive, the men's competition has faced challenges, including declining scoring rates and crowd numbers.The ECB's main goal for the 2024 season is to consolidate the Hundred's position and prove its concept. They hope to attract investors for hospitality suites during the finals weekend, despite the competition's overall decline in attendance.Official figures show a 7% drop in ticket sales, with most of the decline occurring outside of London. Lord's and The Oval accounted for nearly half of the Hundred's total attendance, highlighting the importance of these venues.Despite the challenges, the ECB remains optimistic about the Hundred's future. They cite record-breaking attendances at women's fixtures and believe the competition has significantly boosted the women's game.The cricket itself has been a mixed bag. The men's competition suffered from clashes with other tournaments and the absence of key players like Jos Buttler. A decline in scoring rates, due to swing-friendly balls and heavy investment in bowling, has also been a concern.However, the success of Oval Invincibles, who have won back-to-back titles, has provided a positive narrative for the men's tournament. In the women's game, Welsh Fire's resurgence and Southern Brave's struggles have added intrigue.The Hundred's overlap with Major League Cricket led to some farcical one-match signings, such as Mohammad Amir's brief appearance. However, the women's competition has proven that investment can attract top players, with Meg Lanning and Ash Gardner making their Hundred debuts.Despite the presence of overseas stars, the quality of domestic players remains crucial for the Hundred's success. England player availability is also important, and Ben Stokes' injury was a significant setback.The imminent sale of the Hundred's franchises means the future of the competition is uncertain. However, the ECB is confident that the Hundred can achieve its goals of accelerating the growth of the women's game and attracting new fans to cricket.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners are poised to make a significant impact on the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) Hundred competition. As the ECB prepares to sell shares in its eight Hundred teams in September, it is eager to attract Indian capital. According to The Guardian, even minority investments will grant new owners substantial influence, as all ten IPL owners are expected to bid for shares.Sources involved in the sale process indicate that IPL owners are seeking control in exchange for their investments. They are likely to push for name changes, with the extent of the changes depending on the amount invested. The Ambani family, owners of the Mumbai Indians and its sister franchises, is reportedly considering a substantial bid for the London Spirit team, with plans to rebrand it as MI London.London Spirit is considered the most valuable team in the Hundred, and its sale is expected to generate a significant portion of the revenue. The ECB has been in discussions with potential investors for several months, including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and Manchester United owner Avram Glazer. American owners of Birmingham City, Knighthead Capital, have also expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Birmingham Phoenix.The Rajasthan Royals, IPL champions in 2008, are expected to bid for the Northern Superchargers as part of their acquisition of Yorkshire. The Delhi Capitals, who recently acquired Hampshire for 120 million pounds, are also likely to seek a stake in the Southern Brave.These moves align with the growing global reach of the IPL. The league's popularity and financial success have made it an attractive investment for international investors. The ECB's decision to sell shares in the Hundred is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on this interest and further develop the competition.