sport

Survey: IPL Over International Cricket

Survey - Int Success Not Top Drawcard.

Half of England's current players would consider quitting international cricket early to play in the Indian Premier League, a survey revealed today.

A release from the Professional Cricketers' Association highlighted the stark warning that Twenty20 money is increasingly doing the talking in the sport.

Within the last nine months, two rival cash-rich leagues have been set up in India, Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford has done a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board to stage £10million, winner-takes-all matches each autumn and the rules and regulations for the inaugural Champions League tournament are being drawn up.

"The current imbalance between remuneration for Twenty20 cricket and the longer forms of the game does present a very real threat to the existing fabric of the game," the report states.

"The financial rewards offered by the Indian leagues will entice players to retire early from county and international cricket - and senior players at that. The impact on the strength of our international sides would be huge.

"This would have the potential to significantly devalue our TV rights as well as reducing the attraction of English cricket to the fans."

However, the results of a poll given to 334 players on the English domestic scene also showed Test cricket is the most revered form of the game.

A whopping 93% believe it is important Test cricket retains its status on the international scene.

Three-quarters of players would, in fact, like to see a Test Championship incorporated into the five-year future tours programme cycle.

With that in mind, and despite recent suggestions of reform, the prevailing mood was to continue to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions of Test cricket within our own domestic structure - namely to retain the County Championship in its current form of two divisions and 16 four-day matches a summer.

The one major change recommended by the PCA is to increase the prize money ten-fold to a £1million pot.

Promotion and relegation, it is thought, increases competitiveness and greater prize funds would increase the level at the very top end.

The surveys were first handed out at the start of the season but even after being reissued, in the light of extra Twenty20 cash, 62% insist the Championship is the most important competition. Other issues players were canvassed on included 12-month central contracts, non-England qualified cricketers and the general growth of Twenty20.

"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," said PCA chairman Dougie Brown.

"This document demonstrates the players' willingness to preserve the rich heritage whilst embracing the new opportunities offered to the game."

In addition to 50% of England heads having potential to be turned by IPL, almost as many (45% of all players) admitted they would consider risking a ban from certain tournaments for the financial reward of the Indian Cricket League.

Yet 50-over cricket remains popular with participants, with 79% of those surveyed pre-Stanford etc believing one-day internationals should be retained.

Anticipated expansion of 20-over products has reduced room in the summer scheduling, however, and the ECB is currently quizzing spectators, via a market research strategy, on their favoured tournaments.

Amongst players the view is that the Pro40 competition should be scrapped with a huge 90% believing it is the least important of the domestic competitions.