BCCI and ECB cushion facing ICC over reexamined administration structure, FTP
BCCI and ECB cushion facing ICC over reexamined administration structure, FTP

The Board of Control of Cricket – India and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will fight jointly in the International Cricket Council (ICC), which will oppose the globally revised governance structure, financial model and future model program (FTP) which has been proposed for the cycle 2023-2031.

It is learned that both boards are confident about getting Cricket Australia (CA) by their side. The Big Three on Evil appears to be revived.

The BCCI and ECB discussed ICC matters during their meeting at Lords earlier this month. The BCCI and ECB had a very good meeting and both are on the same page. The ECB also feels about the things that are happening to us at the ICC.

“They (ECB) are also not happy and we (BCCI) are also not happy. Indian Cricket Australia (CA) will be with us soon,” a top BCCI official told The Indian Express.

BCCI and ECB cushion facing ICC over reexamined administration structure, FTP
BCCI and ECB cushion facing ICC over reexamined administration structure, FTP

The meeting between BCCI officials – Chairman Sourav Ganguly, Secretary Jai Shah, and Treasurer Arun and their ECB counterparts – Chairman Colin Graves and his team – agreed to reject the changes proposed by the ICC.

He said, ‘The ICC has underestimated these three important cricket boards. Nobody is ready to put it down’ the official said. However, he refused to call it the ‘Big Three’ revival.

“BCCI knows its position in world cricket and will restore it. And three important boards will work for the benefit of world cricket.”

The BCCI will meet CA President Earl Eddings and his delegation on the occasion of Australia’s three-match ODI series starting on 14 January.

ICC hijacks BCCI’s broadcast capacity

ICC issues will be an important part of the discussion. During its board meeting in Dubai in October, the global body proposed eight major programs over the eight years from 2023 as part of its next negotiation package.

This was done to hijack BCCI’s revenue share from potential broadcasters for the next rights cycle.

The ICC has also excluded BCCI from its newly formed task force, which will focus on the future structure of the future body. Both the ECB and CA, along with the BCCI, have already objected to the proposed FTP, as they feel it will “marginalize” bilateral cricket.

India’s seriousness is even deeper towards the ICC led by Shashank Manohar.

Under Manohar, who was also chairman of the board, the ICC disbanded the Three Big Three ‘model (designed by his predecessor N Srinivasan), with BCCI’s estimated revenue of around $ 570 million, a little over $ 400 million. There was widespread anger over the measure.

This is even though India contributes more than 70 per cent of the ICC’s revenue. Also, according to a Cricket Board insider, more than $ 27 million from ICC – participation fees, etc. – is overdue.

As stated in this letter, the BCCI will oppose Manohar’s re-election as the ICC President if he decides to contest the election.

The ECB is receiving $ 139 million, while CA is expected to take in $ 128 million with Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The BCCI, ECB, and CA will form a joint front, but as the official pointed out, no additional tournaments involving the three legends have yet been planned.