North News
Chandigarh, August 23
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is exploring the creation of a dedicated Test cricket fund valued at a minimum of USD 15 million. This initiative aims to address the challenge of retaining top Test players, who are often lured away by the higher salaries offered by T20 franchise leagues.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the proposal was introduced by Cricket Australia (CA) and supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. “The fund would be used to cover the costs of international tours and raise the minimum match salary for Test cricketers. It is designed to support nations like the West Indies, which struggle to compete with the financial incentives provided by T20 leagues,” it further added.
“The fund is intended to guarantee a minimum. payment of USD 10,000 for all Test players and cover the expenses of overseas tours for financially constrained teams,” reported Business Standard. “It’s fantastic to see momentum building for the Test Match Fund. We need to eliminate obstacles and elevate Test cricket to its highest level while preserving its rich history alongside the newer formats of white-ball cricket,” said CA chairman Mike Baird.
The fund is expected to benefit primarily those nations struggling financially, as the wealthiest cricketing countries—India, Australia, and England—already provide substantial salaries to their players.
