Although the exact figures were not mentioned in the ICC media release, it is anticipated that the BCCI will generate around $230 million annually for the next four years from the $600 million revenue pool.
This amounts to approximately 38.4 percent, making it roughly six times more than what the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to receive—approximately $41 million at 6.89 percent.Cricket Australia (CA) will receive around $37.53 million (approximately 6.25 percent), placing them in a distant second and third position, respectively.
In another notable move, the ICC also introduced a restriction on the number of overseas cricketers allowed in playing XIs for new events, limiting it to four players per team.
The aim is to address the growing threat posed by T20 leagues proliferating across the globe, which have been undermining the international version of the game.
“The ICC Board also confirmed the largest ever investment into the sport after the distribution model for the next four years was agreed,” the ICC release stated.
“Every ICC Member will receive significantly enhanced funding with a strategic investment fund ring-fenced to drive global growth initiatives in line with the ICC Global Growth Strategy,” it further stated.
While the numbers were not there in the release, an ICC board member confirmed that the BCCI got its rightful share for its contribution to the growth of the sport and in this cycle each member would earn significantly more.
“All members will receive a base distribution and then additional revenue will be in relation to contribution to the global game both on and off the field,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said.
“This is by far the largest level of investment ever to go into cricket and it’s a once in a generation opportunity for our members to accelerate growth and engage more players and fans and drive competitiveness,” he added.
Cap on players’ participation in new events
The ICC has decided that all new events (read various T20 leagues) will have to at least include seven home grown players or players from associate members in their playing XIs, in order to prevent en masse retirement of T20 specialists from top countries.
With the Major League Cricket (MLC) starting in the USA and Saudi Arabia also planning an ambitious T20 project in future, the stakeholders want to protect international cricket.
The host T20 board will also have to pay a “solidarity fee”, which, in simple words, is a commission to the home board of an overseas player.
“Moving forwards, new events requiring a sanction will need to ensure the playing XI of each team will include a minimum of seven local or associate member players to support the development of the game.
“Additionally, a solidarity fee will be payable from the organising member to the home board of a player to reflect the role the member played in developing and promoting the sport globally.”
Over-rate sanctions
The Chief Executives’ Committee approved changes to over-rate sanctions in Test cricket to balance the need for over-rates to be maintained and ensure players are appropriately remunerated.
Such players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over short up to a maximum of 50%.
If a team is bowled out before the new ball is due at 80 overs, there will be no over-rate penalty applied even if there is a slow over-rate. This replaces the current 60 over threshold.
(With PTI inputs)