Cricket

Yorkshire's inclusion in the Tier 1 women's cricket competition in 2026 is a significant development for the county and the sport as a whole. The decision, which was initially met with criticism, has been welcomed by players, fans, and administrators alike.Yorkshire's omission from the inaugural year of the competition in 2025 was met with widespread disappointment. The county has a rich history in women's cricket, with 313 women's and girl's teams within its borders. The presence of the Northern Diamonds, a successful regional team based at Headingley, further strengthened Yorkshire's case for inclusion.The ECB's decision to reconsider Yorkshire's application was influenced by several factors. The impact on the Northern Diamonds' playing squad was a major concern, with players expressing their unease at the prospect of relocation. Additionally, the ECB recognized the strength of Yorkshire's bid and its commitment to developing women's cricket in the county.Yorkshire's elevation to Tier 1 will come with increased funding of £1.5 million per year from 2026. However, the club must meet certain conditions relating to governance, strategy, and finance. This is in light of Yorkshire's ongoing financial challenges, with debts currently in the region of £20 million.The new women's cricket structure will consist of three tiers, with no promotion or relegation for the first four seasons. This will provide stability for teams and allow them to focus on developing their talent pathways and building competitive squads.The inclusion of Yorkshire in Tier 1 is a positive step for women's cricket in England. It will provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and inspire future generations. The increased funding and support will also help to raise the profile of the women's game and attract new fans.

Jos Buttler, England's T20I captain, has defended the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to withdraw players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. However, he believes that international cricket should not overlap with the IPL, the world's premier franchise league.Buttler, along with seven other members of England's provisional T20 World Cup squad, left the IPL before the end of the group stage. Four of these players, including Buttler, represented franchises that qualified for the knockouts. England's players returned to Leeds on Saturday night ahead of Wednesday's opening T20I.Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, stated that Buttler had driven the decision to bring players home from India. He emphasized the importance of the squad spending time together before traveling to the Caribbean.Buttler explained his reasoning, saying, "As an England captain, my main priority is to be playing for England. I think that these games have been in the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No. 1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation."Buttler's absence has left a significant void in his franchise, Rajasthan Royals. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was brought in for the final two group games but has struggled to make an impact.Other national boards have taken a different approach. West Indies and South Africa have both missed players for their T20I series due to IPL commitments. Ireland allowed Josh Little to remain in India during their recent series against Pakistan.Key has stated that the ECB tried to keep the situation fluid with players before deciding to bring them home. However, there has been some criticism in India about the early return of English players.Sanjay Bangar, the head of cricket development at Punjab Kings, claimed that the ECB had assured them that all players would be available before the December auction. However, as ESPNcricinfo reported, this was always subject to fitness, international duty, and any periods of unavailability submitted by players on their auction applications.The dates for England's T20I series against Pakistan were announced in July 2023 and have been in the ICC's Future Tours Programme since August 2022. In contrast, the BCCI only finalized the IPL's fixture list for the 2024 season after the tournament had started.Sam Curran, who captained Punjab in eight of his 13 appearances this season, believes the ECB's decision was justified. He said, "It was a decision that was made, that it was probably the right thing for us all to come back. It was only fair for all franchise to lose a player each or so… it would have been quite harsh if some franchises got to keep a couple of players and then some didn't."The Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA) will hold a global scheduling symposium for members later this year. CEO Tom Moffat revealed that a recent player survey showed widespread support for international and franchise 'windows', as proposed by Buttler.

Lauren Winfield-Hill, the England batter and Northern Diamonds stalwart, has expressed concerns over the ECB's decision to defer Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 of the new women's domestic competition. The move, which will see Durham host the northern-most region from 2025 onwards, has raised questions about the future of women's cricket in Yorkshire.Winfield-Hill, who has been a key figure for the Diamonds, believes the decision could have detrimental effects on the county's women's cricket program. With the majority of Diamonds players based in and around Leeds, the prospect of relocation or lengthy commutes could discourage participation."The general feeling was just unsettled," Winfield-Hill said. "Northern Diamonds is Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, but in terms of our host, 80 percent of our cricket has been Yorkshire."The ECB has stated that Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 was delayed due to the county's ongoing racism scandal. However, Winfield-Hill believes the decision could have wider implications for the development of women's cricket in the region."I'm not necessarily concerned cricket-wise, because I've probably done enough, at that level, to be valued in most teams," she said. "But if you look at some of the youngsters, like Katherine Fraser, who moved to Leeds University because she wanted to get her education as well as pursue cricket, the landscape changes, doesn't it?"Winfield-Hill also raised concerns about the practicalities of the decision. With Yorkshire's entry delayed by two years, players may face difficult choices regarding their future."Using Katherine Fraser as an example, do you forego a professional contract for the next couple of years and wait for Yorkshire to be a Tier 1 county? Or if you're looking at a relocation, do you go for three or four years, or do you want to come back?" she said.The decision has also raised questions about the competitiveness of the new competition. With Yorkshire and Glamorgan joining Tier 1 in 2027, there are concerns that the two teams may struggle to build competitive squads due to the delayed entry."The last thing you want is two teams that are hampered because they're late to the party," Winfield-Hill said.Overall, Winfield-Hill believes the ECB's decision could have significant consequences for women's cricket in Yorkshire and the wider domestic competition. She urged the governing body to reconsider the decision and ensure that the future of women's cricket in the region is protected.

The privatization of the Hundred, England's premier domestic cricket tournament, has taken a significant step forward with the English Cricket Board (ECB) securing broad agreement from the 18 first-class counties and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on its proposed "direction of travel."Over the past nine months, the English cricket community has engaged in extensive discussions regarding the future of the Hundred. ECB chief executive Richard Gould previously indicated a "strong consensus" that the eight teams, currently owned by the board, should be opened up to private investment.To facilitate this, eight new companies will be established, with 51% of the shares gifted to the respective host counties. For instance, Surrey would hold the majority of shares in the Oval Invincibles. The remaining 49% of shares will be sold centrally by the ECB to interested parties.The counties were given a deadline of Friday to agree on a "direction of travel." While some details remain to be finalized, particularly regarding the distribution of proceeds from the sale of ECB shares, the counties have granted their non-binding approval for the sale process to proceed.The 11 non-host counties have expressed concerns and are seeking independent financial advice. They emphasize the need for impartial guidance in a financial arrangement involving hundreds of millions of pounds.However, many non-host counties face financial challenges and rely heavily on central funding from the ECB. A recent study revealed that five counties have received emergency financial assistance from the ECB in the past two years.According to The Telegraph, the latest model proposes allocating 10% of the proceeds from the sale of ECB shares to recreational cricket, with the remainder distributed among the counties. The first £275 million would be shared equally among the 18 counties and MCC, while the next £150 million would be distributed among the 11 non-hosts. Any further proceeds would be shared equally again.A county chief executive expressed support for a deal but emphasized the importance of ensuring that the details benefit all parties and avoid widening the gap between richer and poorer counties.The host counties will determine the portion of their 51% stake they wish to retain, with the remainder being sold centrally by the ECB. Lancashire and Surrey have consulted with their members to keep them informed of the latest developments.The ECB has appointed Raine Group, a New York-based investment bank, to manage the sale process, which is expected to be completed later this year. The 2024 edition of the Hundred will serve as a showcase for potential investors. IPL franchises and investors from the US and UK have reportedly expressed interest.

Sussex chairman Jon Filby has dismissed the notion of a breakaway league by the Hundred-hosting counties as "completely not to be feared." The ECB and the 18 first-class counties have been engaged in discussions regarding changes to the Hundred's ownership model, with a proposal to open up the eight teams to private investment.However, the counties have yet to reach an agreement on revenue sharing. The ECB initially requested a decision by May 10, but the non-host counties are seeking independent advice, potentially delaying the process. Filby emphasized the importance of thorough due diligence before making a decision.Despite concerns raised by ECB chief executive Richard Gould about losing momentum, Filby expressed confidence in reaching a deal. He acknowledged the need to capitalize on the Hundred's upcoming season as a showcase for the competition.The prospect of a breakaway league has been raised, but Filby believes it is unlikely. He questioned the viability of such a league, given the lack of opposition and player availability.The non-host counties are reportedly seeking a fair distribution of revenues, with Filby stating that they will not be rushed into a decision. He emphasized the need for a clear position before the Hundred's season concludes.The discussions over the Hundred's future have highlighted the growing influence of the top counties in English cricket. Leicestershire chief executive Sean Jarvis has compared the situation to the Premier League in football. However, Filby believes that the non-host counties should remain firm in their negotiations.

County cricket is facing a pivotal moment as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prepares to sell equity stakes in the Hundred. Leicestershire's chief executive, Sean Jarvis, has raised concerns that the move could create a significant divide between the haves and have-nots in the sport, similar to the situation in English football.Despite Leicestershire's recent successes, including winning the Metro Bank One-Day Cup and topping Division Two of the County Championship, the club was overlooked for a Tier 1 team in the new women's competition from 2025. This decision has left Leicestershire as one of seven first-class teams that will not host international men's cricket, Hundred matches, or top-flight women's domestic games from next year onwards.Jarvis believes that this could have a detrimental impact on Leicestershire's ability to remain relevant in a rapidly changing game. He compares the situation to the Premier League's breakaway from the Football League in 1992, which led to a widening gap between the top clubs and the rest.The ECB's decision on the future of the Hundred is expected to further exacerbate this divide. Host venues are likely to receive a 51% equity share of their respective teams, while the remaining counties will share up to 30% of the competition's remaining value.Jarvis argues that the "Open Pyramid" option for the Hundred, which would allow all 18 counties to compete in a two-tiered structure with the prospect of promotion and relegation, should be considered. He believes that this would ensure that all clubs have the opportunity to win silverware and compete at the highest level.Despite the challenges, Jarvis recognizes that a major overhaul of Leicestershire's home ground, Grace Road, is overdue. He believes that the club's share of the Hundred windfall, combined with strategic partnerships, will allow Leicestershire to create a venue that can better serve the needs of its large sporting community.

The English Cricket Board (ECB) has granted counties until the end of May to propose revisions to the visa criteria for overseas players, following a challenging offseason for directors of cricket.Securing high-caliber overseas players has become increasingly difficult for counties due to a congested domestic schedule, overlapping franchise leagues, and the unprecedented occurrence of a T20 World Cup during the English summer. Consequently, many counties have resorted to signing relatively unknown overseas players this year.Previously, visa eligibility was solely based on international caps. However, in 2019, the ECB successfully lobbied the UK Home Office for a change, allowing players with 20 T20 appearances in a full-member country within the past three years to qualify.While this change has opened up new avenues for overseas players to obtain visas, it has also led to some peculiar situations. One player agent revealed that some clients who would have been eligible for Division One cricket in the County Championship were denied visas due to the current T20-based criteria.Chris Tremain, the leading wicket-taker in this season's Sheffield Shield, was only able to stay at Northamptonshire for a month because his sporadic appearances in the Big Bash League in recent seasons made him eligible only for a short-term "permitted paid engagement" visa.Other top Sheffield Shield bowlers, including Fergus O'Neill, Gabe Bell, and Corey Rocchiccioli, are reportedly ineligible for the "international sportsperson" visa typically used by overseas players for county seasons.Simon Cook, Kent's director of cricket, initially found South African seamer Beyers Swanepoel ineligible due to insufficient T20 appearances. However, Swanepoel eventually qualified for a longer visa after playing enough matches in the CSA T20 Challenge.The ECB has an annual consultation period where counties can propose changes to existing criteria. While the governing body has no immediate plans to alter the criteria, it will consider any proposals. These proposals would then be submitted to the ECB's board for approval and presented to the Home Office.Any changes must adhere to the Home Office's requirement that players seeking visas should "make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK."Cook emphasized the importance of balancing the need for overseas players with the development of domestic talent. "The danger with opening it up too much is that you end up blocking opportunities for academy or second-team players," he said. "You want overseas players coming over that will add value and drive your existing group forwards."Kent will briefly have four overseas seamers competing for two spots in June, reflecting the increasingly competitive overseas market for counties.

Yorkshire's bid to host a Tier 1 team in England's new domestic women's structure has been unsuccessful, sparking disappointment and frustration within the club. However, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has denied that the decision was influenced by Yorkshire's past failings in addressing allegations of institutional racism.Northern Diamonds, the regional side in the north east, will continue to be based primarily at Headingley but will also play home games at other locations in 2024. Durham will host a Tier 1 county in the initial eight-team structure from 2025, a decision that Yorkshire's board described as "tough to take."Yorkshire's board highlighted the club's large active playing base of women and girls, as well as its success in producing players who have gone on to play internationally for England. They expressed disappointment that they would not be able to use a Tier 1 women's team to help them achieve their ambition of becoming "the most welcoming and inclusive cricket club in the country."Gould emphasized that the ECB's decision was not a punishment for Yorkshire's past sins. "Our role is to promote the game, not punish," he said. "We have responsibility when we have an opportunity such as this to get the best outcomes nationally."The news has caused concern among Northern Diamonds players and staff, with England captain Heather Knight confirming that the prospect of having to relocate from Leeds to Durham has caused "quite an unsettling time" for some of the Yorkshire-based domestic players.Gould acknowledged that such tough decisions are part of the process. "This is professional sport," he said. "It's no bad thing. If you want to be paid to be a player in this set-up, you're going to be a Tier 1 player."The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) anticipates some "teething problems" and has pledged to hold counties accountable in delivering on their proposals. Knight believes that the scale of disappointment is a sign of the progress that has been made in women's cricket.The ECB's investment in women's domestic cricket is expected to grow the number of female professional players in the country by 80% in the next five years. Knight believes there is enough talent to sustain the structure and that investment is key to growing the depth.The revamp is seen as the next logical step in the professionalization of women's cricket in England and Wales. Knight expressed excitement about the plans and hopes that women's cricket will be given equal opportunity alongside the men's game.