Players Concerned For Future Health Of Game – 23/06/2008

Players Concerned For Future Health Of Game – 23/06/2008 Comprehensive research findings, reflecting the views of the vast majority of professional players in England and Wales, have today been published by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). The PCA, the representative body for past, present and future first class cricketers, reveals that players recognise that the advent of the Indian cricket leagues, Stanford 20/20 and the potential Champions League has seen significant monies being injected into the game, leading to an imbalance of the cricketing landscape globally The player poll generated responses from 334 players, including the England squad, and strongly supported the findings from previous research and in particular, the PCA’s 2007 Tougher Structures document. Players accepted that that the success of the England team and the success of the county game are inexorably linked, and also welcomed the opportunity in trying to find the optimum structure both commercially and in cricketing terms. However, the players insist that domestic cricket is an important breeding ground for all cricket and central to this is preserving the current structure of the County Championship – 16 four day matches and with two divisions incorporating promotion and relegation. A number of key recommendations are included in the survey, with player views being canvassed on the many factors which influence our game today, from twelve month contracts, to non-England qualified cricketers and of course, Twenty20 Cricket. PCA Chairman Dougie Brown said: ” The PCA has presented its comprehensive views on the changing landscape of our game and is committed to working with the key stakeholders to ensure improvement both on the field and off it commercially. This document demonstrates the players willingness to preserve the rich heritage whilst embracing the new opportunities offered to the game.” Please click here for the full document. Please click here for the Tougher Structures document