In order to make sure that “players are safer” and that the results of the matches “are of a higher quality,” Joe Root has urged for changes to the county cricket game’s structure.
The T20 Blast and the County Championship have been crammed into the few days available at the start and finish of the cricket season, putting a great deal of strain on domestic players, since The Hundred has taken up the July–August slot on the summer calendar.
In a poll by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), 81% of men’s players expressed worry about the physical strain and injury risk associated with the schedule, while 62% expressed concern about the calendar’s effect on mental health. Sixty-six percent of PCA members believe that domestic cricket is played too much.
It makes sense why the PCA labelled the domestic schedule “unfit for purpose” and an impending “disaster” Additionally, former England captain Root shared his thoughts on the specific changes that should be made.
“I am extremely passionate about county cricket and it is apparent the schedule needs to change for a host of reasons to see long-lasting benefits for English cricket,” Root said. “World-class structures are necessary to enable players to realise their full potential in county cricket, as it serves as a breeding ground for some of the best talent in the game.” This is advantageous to all players in the game.
“Our goal is to get first-class cricket as near to the international level as possible through standardisation.
“There’s a large number of players that don’t think the schedule is conducive to high level performance as it stands right now, we need to find a way of making that gap smaller and the product better,” said Root.
“There’s a tonne of cricket to cover and a tonne of stuff to cover. We are aware that it won’t always be ideal, but English cricket will prevail if a solution can be found to bring the players and the game closer to a place where everyone feels safer and the results are of a higher calibre.
“Having space to recover, prepare and improve your game during the season is crucial and the creation of minimum standards to protect travel windows and player welfare is non-negotiable,” he continued.
In order to protect player wellbeing, PCA Chief Operating Officer Daryl Mitchell demanded a “balance” in scheduling.
“Back-to-back games have gone up considerably, and only looked at through a commercial lens,” added Mitchell. “We acknowledge that, but a balance is required. Players have reportedly driven home after getting off the team bus and almost forgot how they got there. We wish to avert it before something terrible occurs.
“Rob Lynch, our chief executive, is concerned that he may receive a call in the wee hours of the morning reporting that someone has drove off the M1. We find that frightening. 76% of gamers worry about their safety while travelling. Although we need to make some room, I don’t think there has to be a significant drop in the amount of games,” Mitchell stated.
