Cricket has always stood out for its rich and deep-rooted history and heritage, besides carrying the tag of “the gentlemen's game” but the past decade has seen a whole new evolution and transition.
Time. Money. Fame. These principles govern the constantly evolving global and generational dynamics.
Hence, due to the rapid emergence of T20 franchise competitions across the globe, the purest format of the game, Test cricket, is at the edge of getting lost in the shadows, whereas even the One-Day format is gradually becoming a thing of the past and may become confined to just World Cup in the coming years.
The former England batter Mark Butcher's remarks about the World Test Championship (WTC) doing more harm than good fit aptly as since its launch in 2019 the top three cricketing powers – England, Australia, and India – have been the benefactors.
It is fair to say that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has failed to bring a solid model that can give the red-ball format a much-needed shot in the arm, be it the introduction of day-night matches or the WTC.
Since getting Test status in 2018, Afghanistan and Ireland have only played 7 and 5 matches, respectively, which raises the question mark behind the idea of giving them Test status.
The emergence of new T20 competitions, like the Major Cricket League in the US, ILT20 in the Emirates, and the ongoing SA20 in South Africa, indicates that commercialism outweighs traditionalism, where the franchise owners act as the decision-makers due to money power.
It is in England and Australia, or to some extent India, where Test cricket looks in good health. In contrast, it posts a gloomy picture in other countries.
On the other hand, if we divulge into the various other aspects, be it the ICC and other cricket board policies, the rise of business-based models or the poor structure of WTC, as well as the generational and demographic impacts that could even bring cricket on the theme of other sports like football or basketball based on the private leagues, where players mostly unite to play for their country in a World Cup, continental or qualifying events.
Loopholes in WTC
In 2019, after several attempts to carve a championship in the red-ball circuit, the ICC came with the advent of WTC to keep Test cricket alive. The bilateral series matches got the status of a tournament contest with different points systems.
However, if we keenly peep into the two championships, the three most powerful nations, England, Australia, and India, have been the benefactors, as the matches for other teams have reduced.
For instance, 5 to 6 years back, Pakistan played ten games a year on average, and in the upcoming two-year cycle, they will play 14. Hence, such policies drag the teams away.
During the 2023-27 tours cycle, Australia, England, and India will play 40, 43 and 38 matches, respectively. In contrast, Pakistan has 27, South Africa 28, Sri Lanka 25, West Indies 26, and Afghanistan 21.
Like the day-night Tests model, the WTC model has also failed to yield any positive prospects that could give hope for the survival of red-ball cricket.
Moreover, the 14-player squad announced by South Africa for their two-match Test series in New Zealand saw the inclusion of several uncapped players as the experienced campaigners opted to prefer the SA20 league. It is indeed a testament to the preferences of players.
Impact of ever-increasing T20 Leagues
Whenever we talk about the franchise leagues in cricket, only the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) comes to mind, which is now amongst the top 10 sports leagues in the world, including NFL, Premier League, NBA and others.
And rightly so, the IPL has transformed the T20 format from a mere misfit to the most powerful items of world cricket.
As a result, the viewership, money, and fame that cricket has gained in the last 15 years are unmatchable, besides being a pathbreaker in making cricket the second most popular sport in the world after football.
The other major leagues, be it the Big Bash League, Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and the Lanka Premier League, have all followed the IPL's suit but are no match.
In fact, in leagues like the T10 or the newly-introduced ones like Major League and SA20, most of the teams are owned by the same owners who own teams in IPL.
Without a doubt, the T20 format has taken the scope of cricket to a far bigger horizon, as the introduction of the Global T20 league in Canada or the Major Cricket League in the USA is revolutionary, as such events help cricket capture new territories and markets.
Negative impacts of franchise competitions
Despite bringing innovation and growth to the sport, the T20 format and the ever-increasing leagues have cast serious negativity. Not only has Test cricket become an endangered species, but ODI cricket has also received a jolt.
With leagues increasing on one side, the number of ODI series played in a calendar year have also reduced, while the number of matches per ODI series has also reduced.
The players prefer playing in the league circuit rather than tiring themselves by playing a grueling five-day Test match, just because the T20 leagues are a short and entertaining way to earn wholesome money.
The examples of Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, and several players from England, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies are clear examples of what can be the mindset of the upcoming generation of cricketers.
Meanwhile, we have to keep in mind the fact that the franchise owners are business-minded investors. And in today's free-market economy, the one who invests money has the final say in the corridors of power.
In the business world, no entrepreneur wants to risk his money. So why would they invest in a venture that won't yield them the desired profits?
Hence, the ODI format may also be an unprofitable business model for them.
Generational change
As they say, change is the only constant. Therefore, the transition the game of cricket has gone through since the advent of T20 is nothing but the evolutional and generational impact.
ODI cricket preceded Test cricket, especially after the 1992 World Cup, as day-night matches, white-ball, colored clothing, and involvement of money became relevant, and cricket properly became a power sport.
Hence, same is the case today. T20 cricket is the future, and it will be no surprise that it severely dents international cricket. The sooner we accept the fact, the better it is.
The traditional-minded people must accept that the game has moved on, and their time is up.
The policies implemented by the England and Wales Cricket Board are enough to indicate where the mindset of world cricket is heading. Because England always kept their old and classical traditions alive.
But the introduction of a funky tournament like 'The Hundred' and the innovation of the 'Bazzball' approach are signs of what will transpire in the future.
Money rules the world and other cricketing boards are making policies that give space and importance to the shorter version.
The two-and-a-half-month window given to IPL, allowing boards to bring new leagues and organising the T20 World Cup in the United States of America are clear examples.
And rightly so. If such policies help bring money and excitement and increase the scope of cricket to new nations, then there is no harm in implementing them.
Test cricket looks safe for now, thanks to England and Australia.
It rests on the policies of ICC and the other boards to not only protect red-ball cricket. But, stop cricket from completely getting on the path like other sports with just league competitions.
Syed Irtiza Ali
