There’s more money in cricket than ever before, but there are fewer opportunities and pathways where they are needed most. It sounds absurd, but the reality is that cricket’s franchise dollars are concentrated in the Indian Premier League (IPL); its rupees lie with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), thanks to the Indian team’s enormous following; and its commercial alliances are limited to England and Australia.
While those who have cricketing currency are rapidly multiplying their piles with little innovation or effort, the geographies and stakeholders that need it most are scrambling to survive. The West Indies can barely organise domestic fixtures; Sri Lanka’s gorgeous Test grounds lie vacant for much of the year because playing the longest format costs money they don’t have. New Zealand’s players have to check with their franchise before committing to a series for their country.
