The PCA has acknowledged the result of the men’s domestic structure review and expressed its disappointment at the outcome which has failed to offer sufficient protection to player welfare.
The review, which started in 2024 before being announced ahead of the 2025 season saw intense consultations across the summer, involving PCA representatives and player views throughout, has seen the County Championship remain at status quo.
The Players’ Committee worked publicly and privately to support in meetings with county Chairs while PCA Chair Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell engaged throughout, including writing letters to the vote-holders, imploring them to recognise the duty of care they have as an employer on behalf of their playing squad and wider cricket department.
To support the review, the PCA surveyed current men’s players ahead of the 2025 season, providing the below data to support the need for change:
- 83% of players are concerned about their physical wellbeing due to the current schedule
- 67% of players are concerned about their mental wellbeing due to the current schedule
- 72% believe the current schedule is not conducive to high performance
- 77% believe too much domestic cricket is currently played
All of the above percentages have risen since the 2024 survey, showing the growing strength of feeling that the structure needed to change to support the working conditions of modern-day cricketers.
"The outcome of the men’s domestic structure review fails to support the demands put on elite professional cricketers in 2026 and beyond."
DARYL MITCHELL
For the county structure to change, a minimum of 12 of the 18 Professional Counties need to agree and following the process, this number was met to adapt the Vitality Blast to a 12-game regional model, however, this was not passed to affect change in the County Championship.
PCA Chair, Olly Hannon-Dalby, said: “I would like to thank all parties who have been involved in this extensive process. However, it has reached an unsatisfactory conclusion, despite the best efforts of many who highlighted the increasing demands on professional players.
“The players voice on the schedule has been steadfast for a number of years and provided a clear directive for the game to join together to improve standards for all. Over the past two years, we have seen increasing levels of genuine concern for player health and wellbeing and as an Association we represented this in the strongest possible way. Ultimately the required minimum number of 12 county Chairs did not see player welfare as a priority.
“The players voice must be heard and while we recognise scheduling concerns go well beyond county cricket with a cluttered international calendar and similar issues in other sports, we cannot relent in our ambition to create minimum standards to allow for a safer schedule.”
PCA Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Mitchell, said: “The outcome of the men’s domestic structure review fails to support the demands put on elite professional cricketers in 2026 and beyond.
“At the start of the process, there was a consensus from all that the structure is not fit for purpose and change needed to happen, so after a thorough and lengthy process where player views were considered, to remain with the status quo for the County Championship is a concerning decision.
“Throughout the process players have been agile and willing to compromise, initially supporting a 12-game season and then a 13-game option so it is incredibly disappointing the game could not come together to improve county cricket, despite the best intentions of the players.
“Unfortunately, the decision-makers have failed to ensure our premiere red-ball competition remains a standout in world cricket by evolving, not just to meet the needs of modern professionals, but to provide a product that captures the imagination for all.
“Players appreciate the small tweak to the Vitality Blast schedule, however, we are yet to see a fixture list. At the very least, we expect to see a significant reduction in back-to-back fixtures.
“With the continuation of a 14-game Championship season, an indicative schedule for 2026 we have seen suggests there will be two games in nine days following The Hundred, this cannot be acceptable. We now need to ensure the best possible schedule can be created in a structure that remains not fit for purpose.”
