WCA Deems Cricket's Global Structure Unsustainable

The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has criticised the current structure and scheduling of international cricket, describing it as "broken and unsustainable." In response, the WCA has initiated a comprehensive review of the system.

The global players' union highlighted a significant lack of clarity regarding the relationship between international and domestic cricket. WCA chair Heath Mills remarked that the leadership in cricket has consistently failed to collaborate and establish a clear and unified global framework for the sport's three primary formats. He expressed that the union has almost lost hope of such a structure being implemented.

To conduct this review, the WCA has assembled a committee comprising former players and experts in sports broadcasting and governance. Among them are Tom Harrison, the former CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Sana Mir, who represented Pakistan in over 200 matches.

This group, in collaboration with independent consultants, aims to provide the WCA Board with a set of recommendations addressing critical issues within both men's and women's professional cricket.

In addition to concerns over scheduling, the WCA pointed out the widening financial disparity between cricketing nations. This gap has resulted in many countries having limited resources to invest in the development of the sport.

Earlier this year, data from the Professional Cricketers' Association revealed that 81% of its members believed the current scheduling negatively impacts physical health, with 62% also concerned about its mental toll. The association is urging the ECB to revise the cricket schedule in England.

In May, former England Test captain Joe Root commented on the issue, noting that a significant number of players feel the current schedule is not conducive to delivering high-level performance.

Although a high-performance review by the ECB in 2022 recommended reducing the volume of domestic cricket, these proposals were ultimately rejected by the counties.