In response to growing concerns over corruption and over-scheduling in franchise cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced plans to prohibit players from participating in leagues suspected of corrupt practices. ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould stated that the board will take a stricter approach to issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players for such leagues, even if these tournaments have ICC sanctioning.
“We will take a more protective line with our players, particularly if we perceive that there’s a risk of corruption,” Gould told Telegraph Sport. “When we see competitions that we’re concerned about, then we won’t issue NOCs for those competitions, irrespective of whether they’ve been sanctioned by the ICC or not.”
Addressing the “Double-Dipping” Phenomenon
The ECB’s concerns extend beyond corruption, also targeting “double-dipping” – a practice where players eliminated early from one league quickly join another, often in overlapping seasons. This trend allows players to earn income from multiple tournaments within a short period. Gould explained that to curb this, the ECB plans to tighten NOC regulations, preventing players from moving between concurrent tournaments.
“We’re going to have to stop that by being more rigid on our NOCs,” Gould said, noting that overlapping tournaments compromise the integrity of the sport. “I think it would be unwise for players to go and compete in overlapping tournaments in the way we’ve seen in the past.”
Concerns over Cricket’s Saturated Schedule
The explosion of franchise leagues has added strain on players and raised questions over sustainability. In 2023 alone, over 20 leagues with international talent emerged, leading to logistical and ethical concerns. Gould expressed doubts about the viability of these competitions, especially in regions with limited broadcast or attendance interest.
“Not all these competitions are going to be viable in the long term,” he remarked. “I wonder if the elasticity has been stretched to the maximum, particularly for leagues without strong local support.”
Kevin Pietersen calls for Structural Change
Cricket legend Kevin Pietersen weighed in, highlighting the negative impact of the congested schedule on the future of international cricket. In a post on social media, Pietersen proposed a vision in which players would be contracted to “super clubs,” likely under the ownership of Indian Premier League franchises. He also called for a separate governing body to manage the T20 landscape.
Pietersen cautioned that without strategic scheduling and regulation, international cricket risks being overshadowed by franchise leagues. “Governing body can protect players from being called mercenaries through smart scheduling and building the global leagues,” he wrote.
Protecting Players and Integrity of Game
As England ramps up measures to protect players from leagues with potential corruption links, the ECB’s commitment to ethical play underscores a growing need for integrity across cricket’s diverse landscapes. With adjustments to its NOC policies, the ECB is taking a proactive stance on the risks associated with an increasingly saturated cricket calendar.
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