Cricket World on Brink of Split as Billionaire Backs Rebel Organisation

Strategic Insights -

A possible split in world cricket has drawn comparisons with Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket revolution of the 1970s. The International Cricket Council has launched an urgent investigation after Essel, the conglomerate behind the defunct Indian Cricket League, began setting up companies and website domains that gave the appearance of being cricket boards. Fica, which represents unions from seven Test-playing counties, including the Professional Cricketers' Association in England, has been approached by intermediaries working for Subhash Chandra, the Indian billionaire and owner of the Essel Group. The Fica chief executive, Tony Irish, admits players' heads will always be turned by rebel projects, especially those from outside the so-called Big Three countries of India, England, and Australia.

Key Takeaways:

  • A possible split in world cricket has been proposed by Subhash Chandra, the Indian billionaire and owner of the Essel Group, with the creation of a rebel cricket organisation.
  • Fica, which represents unions from seven Test-playing counties, has been approached by intermediaries working for Essel but has walked away from the talks due to the clandestine nature of the project.
  • The International Cricket Council has launched an urgent investigation into Essel's activities, which include setting up companies and website domains that give the appearance of being cricket boards.
  • Player wages under the new body could be as much as three times their current level, with Test and Twenty20 the sole formats played.
  • The PCA in England has advised its members to consider the wider picture before signing up to rebel cricket, and to concentrate on playing cricket rather than getting involved in speculative projects.
  • The development has impacted on the negotiations between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board, with England considering withdrawing from a tour scheduled for the UAE this October.
  • Essel's ICL tournament was wound up in 2009 after two years, with a reported £1.3m worth of wages owed to more than 40 players.

Statistics:

  • 40 players were owed £1.3m in wages by Essel's ICL tournament, which was wound up in 2009.
  • The new body plans to expand into new regions such as North America and China.
  • Test and Twenty20 will be the sole formats played under the new body.
  • Player wages could be as much as three times their current level under the new body.
  • 10 Test playing nations, as well as associate nations Canada and the UAE, have website addresses registered by an employee of Ten Sports.

Sources:

  • The Guardian: "IPL founder Lalit Modi denies involvement in Chandra's rebel cricket plans"
  • The Sydney Morning Herald: "Fica chief executive Tony Irish admits players' heads will always be turned by rebel projects"
  • The Guardian: "ICC launches urgent investigation into Essel's activities"
  • The Sydney Morning Herald: "PCA advises members to consider wider picture before signing up to rebel cricket"
  • The Guardian: "England and Wales Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board in talks over tour schedule"