The emergence of cash-rich T20 leagues have fashioned alternative career options for cricketers, often as freelance T20 specialists, as opposed to the time honoured, linear pathway, with international cricket being the ultimate goal. The Federation of International Cricketers’ Association met at the Oval in London and discussed the impact of this sea change in the global Cricket landscape, advocating a balance between the traditional structure and contemporary cricket.
“The global cricket landscape is providing more choice and more variety for career direction for players around the World,” commented FICA Executive Chairman Tony Irish after the meeting.
“Players are no longer constrained by the traditional vertical career pathway that focused on International cricket. The domestic T20 leagues, which are increasing in number and sophistication are presenting multiple new career options for players. It is critical that the right balance is found between the traditional and the new markets,” he said.
The FICA further extended it’s support to the international and domestic Australian cricketers, both male and female, praising them for their unified resistance against divisive tactics in the ongoing pay dispute with Cricket Australia.
The global mediator between all national players’ associations also reiterated it’s stand on freedom of movement of players who are not contracted by their home boards, and emphasised the need to have a new regulatory framework agreed with player representatives in an improved global structure.
Further on FICA’s agenda is its continued commitment towards helping Indian cricketers set up an independent players’ association, after the Lodha committee and the Supreme Court of India ruled that such an association should be formed. In fact the FICA is focused on ensuring proper collective representation of players at all levels, including women’s cricket and associate cricket.
“It is more important than ever to ensure players are represented collectively around the world,” said Irish, also adding that the formation of the Scottish Cricketers’ Association, subject to completion of formalities at the body’s Annual Meeting in September, was a significant step for players in Scotland and in associate countries generally.
