Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a revamped Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket, introducing dedicated windows for major competitions and expanding the ICC Women's ODI Championship.Women's Premier League (WPL) WindowThe Women's Premier League (WPL), India's premier women's franchise competition, will find a new home in the January-February window from 2026 onwards. This shift has prompted Australia to move its marquee home summer to February-March to avoid a clash with the WPL, where Australian players are highly sought after.Hundred and WBBL WindowsThe Hundred, England's 100-ball competition, and the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Australia's domestic T20 league, have been allotted dedicated windows in August and November, respectively. This will provide greater clarity and consistency in the women's cricket calendar.ICC Women's ODI Championship ExpansionThe ICC Women's ODI Championship has been expanded to 11 teams, with Zimbabwe becoming the latest entrants. This follows the addition of Bangladesh and Ireland to the ongoing cycle, which will culminate in the ODI World Cup in India in October 2023. The inclusion of Zimbabwe ensures that all of the ICC's Full Members, except Afghanistan, are now part of the championship.T20 Champions TrophyAs part of its strategic plan to have at least one women's global tournament each year, the ICC has introduced a T20 Champions Trophy to be held in Sri Lanka in 2027. This tournament will add to the already crowded calendar, which includes the LA Olympics in August 2028 and the T20 World Cup in September 2028.Other Key Decisions* The ICC has introduced a new points system for the ICC Women's ODI Championship, which will determine qualification for the ODI World Cup.* The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be expanded to 12 teams from 2024 onwards.* The ICC has committed to increasing investment in women's cricket, including funding for development programs and coaching initiatives.These changes aim to enhance the visibility, competitiveness, and sustainability of women's cricket globally.

Indian billionaires Sanjiv Goenka and Mukesh Ambani have made significant bids for multiple franchises in the Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament in England and Wales. The ECB is selling 49% stakes in each team to investors, with the first round of bidding concluding last Friday.Goenka, the founder of RPSG Group, already owns the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and the Durban Super Giants in the SA20. He is believed to have bid for several Hundred teams, expanding his cricket portfolio.Ambani, through his Reliance Industries, owns the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and three other T20 teams. If successful, he could potentially rename the London Spirit franchise to MI London.Other notable bidders include the Glazer siblings, owners of Manchester United, and Jonathan Goldstein, director of Chelsea Football Club.The first-round valuation of the eight Hundred teams is estimated at £500 million. The proceeds from the sale will be invested in the recreational and professional cricket ecosystem in the UK.Team owners will receive a share of central revenues, including broadcast rights and sponsorship. The ECB has declined to confirm the names of interested parties or the value of bids, but has expressed enthusiasm for the level of interest.The Ambani group has not responded to requests for comment, while the RPSG group declined to comment. Decisions on successful bidders will be announced in 2025.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has received bids from several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, for potential ownership stakes in the Hundred competition. Other notable bidders include the GMR Group, the new owner of Hampshire cricket, and Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United Football Club.The ECB set an October 18 deadline for potential investors to express interest in buying stakes in the eight Hundred teams. The bids submitted last week represent a one-time sum to acquire a 49% stake in each team, currently held by the ECB.In the next stage, which begins in November, investors will meet with the host counties of each Hundred franchise. They will then need to narrow down their choices to four teams, followed by a final selection of two teams.While the ECB aims to announce the final set of investors by early 2025, it has emphasized that it will not rush the process and risk "underselling" the Hundred. ECB chairman Richard Thompson has suggested that a hybrid model could be adopted, with the ECB owning some teams and private investors owning others.However, not all IPL teams have submitted bids. Punjab Kings have opted out, while there is no confirmation on the participation of Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Pakistan Super League (PSL) winners Multan Sultans and global sports investors INEOS have also declined to bid.One of the concerns raised by IPL franchises is their potential role as passive investors. Additionally, former IPL architect Lalit Modi has criticized the ECB's financial projections for the Hundred's growth beyond 2026, calling them "overly optimistic."Despite these reservations, the ECB remains confident in the Hundred's potential. CEO Richard Gould has stated that over 100 potential investors from India and the USA have sought information on the privatization.

Manchester Originals have extended Simon Katich's contract for another year, despite the men's team's disappointing performance this season. However, Stephen Parry has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the women's side after two years.The decisions were made by the Originals board, which has been restructured to reflect the team's closer ties with Lancashire from 2025. Lancashire will become majority shareholders in Originals next season, acquiring a 51% stake from the ECB, while the remaining 49% will be sold to a private investor.Mark Chilton, Lancashire's director of cricket, will lead the search for Parry's successor as women's head coach. James Sheridan, a member of the Lancashire board, has replaced Mark Chapman as Originals' chair, although Chapman remains on the board.Katich, a former Australian batter, has coached Originals men since the Hundred's inception in 2021. Despite finishing as runners-up in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the team struggled this year, winning only one of their eight matches."We were all disappointed with how this season went," Katich said. "I feel we have unfinished business given the events of the last three editions of the Hundred and all of us at the Originals will ensure that we get back on track next year… We are determined to win it for Manchester."Parry, on the other hand, has been replaced after his side finished sixth in the women's Hundred this season. Originals are the only women's team who have not reached the knockout stages in any of the tournament's first four editions."Stephen leaves us with our thanks and best wishes," Sheridan said. "He joined us with our women's team under-strength and still finding its feet at this level of cricket… We are in a much better place following two years with Stephen at the helm."The recruitment process for Parry's successor will begin immediately, with Chilton overseeing the search. "Our aim now is to recruit a world-leading women's short-format head coach, and we are very excited where this group of players can take Manchester Originals next year and beyond," Chilton said.These announcements come ahead of Friday's deadline for first-round bids in the ECB's sale process of the Hundred. Lancashire is actively seeking a "sporting partner" to become co-owners of Originals.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering a major overhaul of the Hundred tournament's draft system and player compensation structure. The proposed changes aim to attract top international players and boost the league's competitiveness.Under the new plans, franchises could make direct offers of multi-year contracts worth up to £300,000 per season to players. This would represent a significant increase from the current salary cap of £125,000 for men and £50,000 for women.The ECB is also considering lobbying the UK's Home Office to allow each team to field a fourth overseas player in the XI, up from the current limit of three. This move would bring the Hundred in line with other major T20 leagues worldwide.The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to increase the Hundred's appeal to top players and fans. The ECB has fallen behind other short-form leagues in attracting men's stars, and the new salary structure aims to address this issue.The plans would also see each team able to sign one designated 'England star' on a multi-year deal, worth around £100,000 in the women's competition and £250,000 in the men's.The ECB is confident that the proposed changes will make the Hundred more competitive and attractive to players and fans alike. The league's 2025 season will start in early August, immediately after England's men complete a Test series against India.

Kent County Cricket Club has bolstered its wicketkeeping ranks with the signing of Chris Benjamin from Warwickshire on a three-year contract. The 25-year-old South African-born player, who holds a British passport, has impressed in limited opportunities for the Bears and in the Hundred.Benjamin's breakthrough came in the 2021 Hundred, where he was drafted as a replacement player for Birmingham Phoenix. Despite having played only one senior T20 for Warwickshire, he made an immediate impact, scoring 24 off 15 balls to guide his team to victory. He continued to feature regularly in the tournament's first three seasons.In first-class cricket, Benjamin made a century on debut for Warwickshire but has had limited opportunities in the longer format. He has made 10 appearances for the county, averaging 22.23.Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook, expressed his delight at securing Benjamin's services. "We're delighted to have attracted a player of Chris' talent to Kent on a long-term contract," Cook said. "He is still a young player with a lot of potential to improve further, and we're pleased to Kent to be the place for him to do so."Benjamin, who moved to the UK in 2018 to study, is excited about the opportunity to play regularly for Kent. "I'm excited to be joining Kent and having the opportunity to play regularly across multiple formats," Benjamin said. "There is a young squad here that will only improve over time, and there's a clear plan for Kent to return to the highs of their recent successes in the future. It's an exciting project to be a part of."Benjamin's arrival will strengthen Kent's wicketkeeping options, with Ollie Robinson and Jordan Cox having left over the last two seasons, and Sam Billings signing a white-ball contract. The club's keeper in Championship cricket this summer has been Harry Finch.Kent were relegated from Division One of the County Championship earlier this month, finishing bottom of the table. They also finished last in the South Group of the Vitality Blast and seventh in Group A of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, co-owners of Wrexham AFC, are exploring the possibility of acquiring a stake in Welsh Fire, the Cardiff-based team in the Hundred. The duo's interest stems from their successful investment in Wrexham, which has witnessed back-to-back promotions in English football.The ECB has initiated the process of securing private investment in the Hundred, with Raine distributing prospectuses to potential investors. Glamorgan, Welsh Fire's home ground, has the smallest capacity in the Hundred and is expected to be the cheapest franchise, valued at around £30 million.Glamorgan has held discussions with various interested parties, including the owners of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League. However, the prospect of Reynolds and McElhenny's involvement has generated significant intrigue. Dan Cherry, Glamorgan's chief executive, described it as "an exciting proposition."While the majority of IPL franchises are expected to bid for stakes in Hundred teams, the ECB is keen to avoid replicating the SA20's ownership model, where every team is IPL-owned. Private equity firms CVC and RedBird Capital are also reportedly interested, while Ineos is unlikely to bid.Glamorgan believes its relatively low valuation and the even distribution of central broadcast revenue make it an attractive investment. Cherry emphasized the team's unique identity as the only Welsh first-class county and its commitment to maintaining its Welsh heritage.Glamorgan is open to partnerships that add value to the club, whether in cricket operations or commercial ventures. The club aims to find the right investor who supports its growth and on-field ambitions without compromising its independence.Despite a mixed first year under head coach Grant Bradburn, Glamorgan's financial position has improved, allowing it to focus on improving its cricket performance. Cherry believes the club is well-positioned to achieve its goals and produce players for England.

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.

Jimmy Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, has hinted at a potential return to white-ball cricket after retiring from international red-ball cricket last month. Anderson, who holds the record for most Test wickets for England with over 700 scalps, is considering playing in the Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament."I might be in a bit of denial because I'm well aware I won't play for England again, but I've still not made a decision on my actual cricket career," Anderson told the Press Association. "There's definitely a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I've not played any franchise stuff before."Anderson, who played 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England, became a Test-match specialist in 2015. However, he believes he still has the skills to compete in white-ball cricket. "Watching The Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there," he said. "I know it's a while since I played it and my age will get brought up again, but I really feel I'll be good enough to play that form of cricket."Anderson's return to white-ball cricket would be a significant boost for the Hundred, which is entering its third season in 2023. The tournament has been praised for its innovative format and its ability to attract top players from around the world.In addition to his potential return to playing, Anderson is also being considered for a mentorship position with the England cricket team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is keen to tap into Anderson's vast experience and knowledge to help develop the next generation of fast bowlers.Anderson's career has been one of the most successful in the history of cricket. He has taken over 1,000 wickets in all formats and has been a key member of England's Test team for over two decades. His return to white-ball cricket would be a fitting end to a remarkable career.