The Hundred is the latest innovation in the game of cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Meanwhile, Surrey is looking to rope in teams from various franchise cricket leagues from all across the globe to recover the loss of ECB’s revenue last year due to COVID-19. The team would be from leagues like IPL, PSL, CPL and BBL. If it is a sell-out at the Oval to watch these matches, then Surrey would earn a whopping £1 million.
Surrey Looking To Rope In Overseas Franchises For Exhibition Matches
“We think the most deliverable plan is at the end of the season to bring an IPL team or teams from other parts of the world to play in a small baby-steps competition” Surrey’s chief executive Richard Gould told Telegraph Sport.
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“All of the contracts we have signed in the last year have increased control measures from ECB that prevent us from putting on any significant games without their permission which makes us more nervous about investing in such a venture. If we get a green light from the ECB we know there is so much more we could do for the global audience that surrounds us in London,” he added.
The Surrey Cheif Executive further went onto say that he had had informal talks with the various IPL franchises over the last couple of years but nothing significant has materialised yet. Meanwhile, the BCCI and the ECB both have been very strict with their COVID-19 rules in place. Both the boards have decided to play in one or possibly two bio bubbles which has hampered the revenue overall.
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“There are two venues in London plus Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds all of whom I know would be interested in hosting those events but what we don’t currently have is a green light to do it” he further added.