David Richardson concerned for future of bilateral series | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Dave Richardson says that barring iconic series like the Ashes and those that involve India, the other series are no generating enough revenue.
Despite bilateral series struggling to compete with the T20 leagues around the world especially IPL, Big Bash and CPL (and with England all set to launch a major City Based T20 league), the numbers for all major ICC Tournaments have gone up.
Richardson talks about giving context to the bilateral series as a way of increasing interest, and one way he proposes to do so is by way of a two-tier test league, (Fking epic idea, just do it already !!) and to have more ODI tri-series, instead of bilateral series at opportune times.
Dave Richardson says that barring iconic series like the Ashes and those that involve India, the other series are no generating enough revenue.
Apart from series such as the Ashes - which has an iconic, traditional status - and series between India and the top Full Members, many bilateral series are perceived as having little relevance," Richardson told ESPNcricinfo in London. "Attendances in most series, especially for Test cricket, have fallen and the revenues generated from these series are not growing."
Despite bilateral series struggling to compete with the T20 leagues around the world especially IPL, Big Bash and CPL (and with England all set to launch a major City Based T20 league), the numbers for all major ICC Tournaments have gone up.
The interest in and value of ICC events such as the World Cup, the Champions Trophy and World Twenty20 has grown significantly over the last eight years or so.
Richardson talks about giving context to the bilateral series as a way of increasing interest, and one way he proposes to do so is by way of a two-tier test league, (Fking epic idea, just do it already !!) and to have more ODI tri-series, instead of bilateral series at opportune times.
We are just in discussions at the moment. Michael Holding has spoken about a Test league of two divisions, others have previously suggested a six-and-four teams format. But first the principles and then the detail needs to be debated and agreed. I think it is achievable if all the Full Members think it is worthwhile and want it to happen.