Cricket looking at fewer Tests, shorter tours and pay cuts

The number of Test matches could be reduced to save costs because of Covid-19, senior administrators have warned, while there is also support for shortening tours.

The pandemic could end up transforming the landscape of international cricket and changes could include:

Prioritising the most lucrative international fixtures, and playing fewer loss-making games.

Reopening discussions about fourday Tests.

Pay cuts for international cricketers throughout the world.

Club cricket growing in importance.

Greater financial inequality between Test nations.

“We’re going to have to think differently, and act very, very differently,” said Wasim Khan, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “Playing two-Test series, playing more whiteball cricket, may become the norm, just simply because those are the areas where the most money can be made.”

Apart from series involving Australia, England or India, two-match Test series have become increasingly common. Even many limited-overs matches lose money, so they could be under pressure too.

There was already support among some administrators for exploring four-day Tests, which may be strengthened now. Most Tests not involving Australia, England or India make a net loss, generally about £400,000. Some estimate that reducing Tests to four days could save about 10 to 15 per cent per game.

To protect Tests, administrators have called on the International Cricket Council to reintroduce the Test Cricket Fund, under which countries received $1.25million (£1million) a year to cover the costs of hosting matches. “For all the smaller nations, without reintroducing the fund it will be very difficult,” said Hamilton Masakadza, director of cricket for Zimbabwe Cricket.

Globally, the pandemic has affected far fewer games than had it struck during the English winter but there remain huge fears over what could happen if the disruption extends to next year. “I doubt anyone can survive for more than a year without home cricket,” said Johnny Grave, the chief executive of Cricket West Indies.

Cost-cutting is expected to lead to truncated tours, with matches played more intensely – for instance, three T20 internationals could be played over four days, enabling a touring team to be in the country for only a week.

Yet global travel restrictions could either encourage countries to prioritise domestic cricket – which the wealthiest nations will be best placed to do – or cram as many fixtures into each tour as possible. “There’s no way anyone’s going to fly anywhere for six white-ball games in two weeks if you’re going to quarantine for two weeks, then play two weeks and then quarantine on the way back,” said Grave.

Travel restrictions will also lead to the costs of staging international cricket soaring. “If the only way for us to host international cricket is by private charter flights and biosecure stadiums, then our only option for a home tour that is viable is England, who are just eight hours away,” Grave said.

Pay cuts for international players already seem certain. Even for countries who can minimise the loss of fixtures, there will be reduced income from sponsors and broadcasters. But there is hope that major cuts to women’s cricket can be avoided, with many believing the women’s game will become profitable in the years to come.

Decisions will be made gradually, with the next ICC chief executives’ committee meeting early next month.