After BCCI, Cricket Australia expresses concern with ICC 8-year FTP cycle starting 2023

After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) has also expressed concern over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) flagship tournament every year during the next eight-year FTP (Future Trip Program) cycle between 2023 and 2031. The CA is not ready to compromise on holding bilateral series.

Earlier this month, it was announced during an ICC meeting in Dubai, its headquarters, that a working group of member nations had agreed in principle to the ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney’s idea of selling as many as eight ICC men’s events in eight years (2023-31) as part of the broadcast rights package.

On part of the BCCI, CEO Rahul Johri has already expressed concern and the ICC was told that the Indian board was not in agreement with its idea. “The ICC schedule of tournaments is certainly something that is absolutely up for discussion at the moment and will continue in the months ahead,” CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts was recently quoted by SEN Radio, Melbourne, as saying.

“There’s a sense that fans really value World Cups and international events in general, and in this last cycle on the men’s side, I think we’ve had six world events in the eight years whereas the previous cycle, we had one event per year with the Champions Trophy as part of that.”

Lots of World Cups in next eight-year cycle

The next eight-year cycle will feature four T20 World Cups along with two 50-over World Cups and with another big event like Champions Trophy accommodated in between, Roberts feels it could affect the ICC Test Championship.

“We need a healthy balance of World Cups along with international cricket that occurs between World Cups and the space for great domestic leagues like the BBL and the IPL to thrive into the future,” he said.

“What we’re really keen to work on with the ICC and what we will be working on with the ICC and other ICC members is what parts of the annual calendar might the ICC events occupy in future, how many days of the calendar does that represent and how do we ensure the bilateral international cricket between ourselves and other nations is really embraced and respected in the process?”

The top CA official also wanted the ICC to ensure a cap on the days for its events so that windows for popular private T20 leagues like the IPL and BBL are not compromised.

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