ECB blocks Saudi-funded Global T20 League in a shocking move

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has openly rejected the idea of a Saudi-funded global T20 league. Chief executive Richard Gould mentioned that the cricket calendar is already overcrowded, and there is no scope for this league.

With the advent of growing T20 leagues around the world, Saudi Arabia also came up with the proposed plan for a global T20 tournament. The reports claimed that the league will feature eight teams playing across four different locations, with financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

The league has been named the Grand Slam of Cricket

The league has been named the Grand Slam of Cricket. It has been designed to follow the same format as of tennis Grand Slams, with matches taking place four times a year in different countries. The idea was proposed by former Australian Cricketer Neil Maxwell.

It is learned that the discussions are underway with the ICC, and the revenue generated will be distributed equally among cricketing nations. The Saudi government has earmarked a substantial investment of $500 million and it remains to be seen if ICC approves or not.

If approved, it is learned that the league will be played in open windows in the cricket calendar. The idea of the league is to not disrupt existing international matches and domestic T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

ICC cricket boards, including Cricket Australia, will be crucial in terms of the league getting the approval. The ultimate decision rests with ICC Chair Jay Shah, who has the authority to determine whether Indian players can participate. Notably, BCCI's policy doesn't allow players to play in foreign leagues.

It’s not something that we would support - ECB CEO Richard Gould on Grand Slam of Cricket

But the league has got a direct rejection from the England and Wales Cricket Board. CEO Richard Gould pointed out the workload of players, adding they wouldn't support something like this.

"With the busy international calendar, a host of established franchise leagues around the world, and existing concerns about player workloads, there is no scope or demand for such an idea,” Gould told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday. “It’s not something that we would support,” he added.

The ECB is currently focused on safeguarding its 100-ball tournament, The Hundred is set to receive a major boost after the franchises were brought by the IPL franchises. The league secured a major financial boost of $1.27 billion through private franchise investments.

Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) support Grand Slam of Cricket

On the other hand, the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has come up in support of the league. The union said that the league could benefit players. Their statement read:

"The ACA’s early interest in exploring this concept is motivated by a desire to develop and normalize best-practice collective bargaining and an international gender-equity pay model for male and female cricketers,” the players’ union was quoted as saying in the report.

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