2024-07-28 17:25:54
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been under discussion for a long time for revenue distribution and increased focus on financially backward countries. The countries were particularly attracting the attention of Cricket Australia, BCCI and ECB. But the ICC or the Big Three countries did not receive much attention. Rather, they were only benefiting financially. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is looking for a way to move away from that place.
Zimbabwe will play two Tests in England in 2025. ECB has decided to give them travel allowance. ECB chief executive Richard Gould confirmed the news. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the ECB will give this money to Zimbabwe cricket in a first in the modern era.
At one time the tour allowance was paid by the host country to the visiting country. This trend continued for a long time. But this trend changed in the 20th century. It increases the pressure of money spent on visiting countries. The ECB is trying to reduce income inequality not only within the Zimbabwean group, but also among the ICC’s full member countries.
Speaking to Mike Atherton on Sky Sports, Gould said: ‘There is a lot of responsibility. If you look at the revenue side of the ICC and the income of the host countries in the bilateral series, you will see that everything is going on in the old way. For example, Zimbabwe cricket team will tour England next year. Naturally when they come here we will only see their presence. The rest is theirs. No allowance will be given to the visiting team. But we have decided, when Zimbabwe come to play us here we will give them a travel allowance.’
Due to being the host board, there are many avenues of income in bilateral series. Income from sponsorship, ticket sales, advertising and others. The board gets everything. On the other hand the traveling board costs only. Apart from the match fee, the players also have to make their travel arrangements. Only hosts benefit in bilateral series on tour. Travel expenses. The ECB is in favor of reducing this practice. That is why they are starting the process of paying travel allowance to Zimbabwe from their own income.
But it’s not just about balancing the financial side. One of the ways can be to organize the tour of teams other than the national team. Gould said, ‘There was a request from the West Indies, they want to send their Under-19 team to England. So that their young cricketers get used to red ball cricket in England conditions. Everything is in our favor when we host them. So financial support is not always necessary. There are many other ways.’