In a groundbreaking move, Zimbabwe will become the first team in modern cricket to receive a ‘touring fee’ from the hosts in bilateral cricket. This historic event will take place during their one-off Test match against England in the summer of 2025. This development marks a significant shift in how touring teams are compensated, addressing the financial disparities in international cricket.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould confirms the development
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould confirmed this landmark decision on Sky Sports. Gould discussed the need for a collective effort by all full member nations to eliminate revenue disparity and ensure that players and fans experience quality Test cricket. He emphasized the responsibility of major cricketing nations to maintain the competitiveness of Test matches.
Reason behind ECB’s move
Gould explained the reasoning behind the ECB’s decision to provide a touring fee to Zimbabwe. He pointed out the outdated nature of the current revenue-sharing model in bilateral cricket.
“Normally, the touring team gets itself into the country and then is looked after in terms of accommodation, but there is no fee for that team. Next year when we play against Zimbabwe, there will be a fee for that team that’s touring,” Gould stated.
This move is part of broader efforts to ensure that smaller cricketing nations can continue to participate in and host Test matches without facing financial hardships.
Also READ: IRE vs ZIM: Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Clive Madande breaks a 90-year-old unwanted record in Test cricket
Challenges facing Test cricket
The longest format of the sport has seen a decline in popularity outside the traditional cricket heartlands, mainly due to the global rise of lucrative Twenty20 leagues. Smaller cricketing nations, in particular, struggle to meet the growing financial costs associated with Test cricket. The high costs of touring and hosting Test matches, combined with diminishing broadcasting revenues, have cast doubts on the future of Test cricket. Earlier this year, Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO highlighted these challenges, describing the ICC’s revenue-sharing model as broken following the West Indies’ two-match Test series against Australia.
This innovative move by the ECB aims to address these financial challenges and support the sustainability of Test cricket, ensuring that even smaller nations can continue to participate in the sport’s longest and most prestigious format.
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