Cash warning for ECB

Twenty20: Cash boost

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Half of England's best cricketers would retire from international and county cricket early in order to cash-in on the new megabucks Twenty20 leagues springing up around the world, according to a report by the Professional Cricketers' Association.

The reports says that the longer forms of the game are in jeopardy due to the sheer volume of cash pouring into the sport from new lucrative Twenty20 leagues.

Two rival leagues in India have already been set up while Texan billionaire Allen Stanford will finance £10 million games each autumn after signing a deal with the ECB.

However, the PCA have warned the ECB that the county and Test game could be in danger with a poll revealing that half of England international players would prematurely retire in order to play Twenty20.

"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.

Rewards

"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."

The PCA warning says that top players could be coaxed out of the County Championship and England Test team by the financial muscle of the Twenty20 leagues, and that there needs to be an increase in the money around the longer forms of cricket.

The poll does say that 93 percent of cricketers still believe Test cricket is the most important form of the game, and many feel a Test Championship should be incorporated into the five-year future tours programme cycle.

Prize money

A majority of cricketers want to retain the current County Championship, but the PCA has called for an increase in prize money - with almost half saying they would risk a ban of some sort to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

"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."

With Twenty20 cricket still on the up, the ECB is looking to squeeze more events into the already packed schedule, and the PCA pool revealed that the players favour scrapping the Pro40 competition to make more room.