ICC Doesn’t Run Cricket…”: Australian Great’s Bold Criticism of Cricket Governing Body

Test cricket, the ultimate test of skill and endurance in the game, stands at a crossroads. With the explosive rise of T20 leagues, this traditional format faces mounting challenges. Former Australia captain Ian Chappell didn’t hold back when he described the ICC as an “event management company” prioritizing revenue over the sport’s long-term health.

Ian Chappell’s Assertion

Chappell’s remarks underline a pressing concern among purists: the ICC, rather than governing the game effectively, focuses more on organizing lucrative events. This shift has led to fragmented schedules dictated by financial incentives, giving wealthy cricketing nations outsized influence. At its core, Chappell’s criticism isn’t just about the ICC’s operations but about the governance vacuum harming cricket’s development, especially in formats like Tests.

Chappell stated, “Therein lies a perplexing problem. The ICC doesn’t run cricket, and unless there’s a major change of heart, the financially desirable nations will continue to have a huge say in producing a self-serving schedule. Then there’s the major issue of the financial split. The big three — India, Australia and England — despite being the wealthiest cricket nations claim a large slice of the money divided among cricket bodies, and yet they agitate for an even larger share.”

The Two-Tier System Proposal

A two-tier Test system has long been proposed to maintain the format’s competitive integrity. Under this structure, top-performing teams compete in the upper tier, while lower-ranked sides face relegation.

“India’s powerful presence in the ICC is in direct proportion to their contribution of around 70% of cricket’s income. It’s a complex issue to which cricket hasn’t found a workable solution.”

Cricket, unlike soccer, lacks centralized governance. Michael Holding aptly noted that while FIFA’s faults are evident, it at least runs the sport. The ICC, on the other hand, acts more as a facilitator, leaving financially powerful boards to dictate the game’s direction.

“On the subject of a two-tier Test system, former West Indies pace-bowling champion Michael Holding noted: ‘For all its faults, at least FIFA actually runs soccer. The ICC must run cricket’,” Chappell wrote in his column for ‘ESPNcricinfo’.

“In reality only a limited number of teams are capable of competing long-term in the five-day game. West Indies earned the right to financial assistance with their capacity to draw crowds, and it’s criminal they’ve been allowed to languish,” he said.

Neglected Smaller Nations

Emerging teams like Afghanistan and Ireland are prime examples of Test cricket’s systemic challenges. Despite their passion, they struggle with inadequate infrastructure and unstable finances, which make sustaining Test status daunting.

Chappell added, “For instance, could Afghanistan hold a Test series in their strife-torn country? Does Ireland have a realistic number of Test-standard grounds? Even setting aside the Taliban’s reprehensible treatment of women, the answer to those questions is: absolutely not. Then why do they have Test status? Because in return for Test status they provide valuable ICC votes on important issues. The ICC is widely regarded as an event management company.”

The Rise of T20 Cricket

T20 cricket has revolutionized the game, becoming a lucrative alternative for financially strained boards. Its shorter format and instant entertainment value have drawn fans and sponsors alike. An overpacked international schedule, dominated by T20 leagues, often sidelines Test cricket. Players, caught between national commitments and franchise opportunities, face burnout, further impacting the traditional game.

Chappell cited, “This, along with running a successful T20 competition being vastly more acceptable than losing money on a first-class schedule, dominates the thinking of most cricket administrators. Cricket being run by a competent ICC is a pipe dream. Hence the growing T20 calendar and the current scheduling schemozzle that plagues the game.”

Chappell’s Vision for Test Cricket’s Revival

The longer format’s appeal has waned among younger audiences accustomed to the fast pace of T20. Slow over rates and defensive playstyles compound this issue. First-class cricket, the breeding ground for Test players, is increasingly overlooked due to high costs. Without consistent investment in this format, producing Test-ready players will remain an uphill battle.

He concluded, “Nevertheless, unless some issues, including a reasonable schedule and the criminally slow speed of play (which creates notoriously poor over rates) are critically addressed, Test cricket will struggle to attract younger audiences. Cricket administration is difficult. However, in addition to producing a viable two-tier system, there are other pressing matters that need urgent attention if Test cricket is to improve its relevance in the wider sporting world.”