10 countries where ICC should invest for the future

Cricket has been rapidly expanding around the globe. There are now highest ever, 106 members of ICC with another 10 ready to join. There are talks of getting it in Olympics and the IOC chief really wants that to happen.

But there is another side. The ICC’s revenue primarily comes from one country – India. There are not many countries from where ICC earns much. Perhaps the other surplus countries for ICC are Australia, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh & South Africa.

The ICC works on a system where the profit it makes, is distributed amongst the 10 Test Nations and other 96 Associate/Affiliate Members in form of development money. This is in tune of approximately 7.5 M$/Yr to a Test Nation, 0.6-0.7 M$ to Top Associates, 0.4 to HPP Members, 0.1 to Associates and just 0.015 to Affiliate Members. This money is the major source of income for almost all the 106 members barring a few named above. Without the aid, the cricket in countries would simply collapse.

So this brings us to a question – can ICC risk the present structure? In my opinion, the answer is a big NO & for the following reason – All the eggs are in one basket – India. If tomorrow another sport rivals cricket in India, it would directly impact the source of money for ICC and it could be disastrous.

So ICC is like a financial company who should want to hedge it’s risk. So based on the factors of Sports Economy, present interest, history of game in all the countries, I have picked a list of 10 countries to invest in. Some countries presently are in good shape when it comes to cricket’s standing in the country, but might not be very big countries. ICC should quickly work and make these countries self sustainable. Whatever little additional income these countries bring, would mean ICC is earning and not spending in these countries.

The second set of the countries would be where game might have some base, but if established, they would bring ICC loads of revenue.

So let me share with you, the 10 countries where ICC should definitely invest for the future:

1. Ireland

Obviously it is the first country which comes in mind. With 2 successful World Cups, it has made news both inside the country and outside. The win over England was covered on the front pages of all the newspapers. It is where ICC should invest in 2 ways, first is to get the team more matches with Test Nations which brings some revenue and secondly a domestic structure.

2. Scotland

The Scots have really worked hard on the youth and many good players are coming in. Cricket has a strong tradition in the country and the future looks good. Like Ireland, ICC needs to get them more matches. Also like the case of Rugby, where Wales, Scotland & Ireland have a combined domestic structure, ICC should work and establish a similar Structure for Scotland, Ireland & Netherlands and if need be, extend it to Denmark & Wales.

3. Canada

The game is now well known in the country thanks to the cricket loving 1.4 Million South Asians, 4% of the total population. Just imagine even if another 10% of country starts following cricket, it would mean a population more than New Zealand. The game in Canada has been making all the right noises. The World T20 will be broadcast live on a major sports channel. This country needs some focus from ICC and it can be a major revenue earning country.

4. Afghanistan

War ravaged, Terrorism, Taliban. Perhaps not the country you might be thinking for ICC to invest in. But do you know, that it has been one of the fastest emerging team? The Afghans are naturally talented. This can be seen by some of the most talented fast bowlers emerging from the country. It must be noted that the legendary Pakistani fast bowlers are from the same tribes as the Afghans.

War or no war there is no stopping this team. ICC urgently needs to get them more exposure in matches with top nations and their A teams.

5. Nepal

The country has one of the biggest following of the game. When the team recently won the ICC WCL Div 4, thousands of fans turned at the Airport to welcome the team. Whenever they play a match in Nepal, around 15000 people turn up at the stadium.

Such level of crowd support cannot be met by many Test Nations. These are places where ICC needs to work faster.

The game here is no. 1 like other South Asian nations. The biggest investment ICC needs in the country is in form of a stadium and help them establish domestic structure. With these investments the country can soon join the likes of top nations.

6. USA

USA doesn’t need any explanations. The biggest sports economy in the world. For cricket, surprisingly, the second highest internet earnings come from USA after India! The game is presently not in a healthy state in the country because of a pathetic cricket board whose only job looks to be clinging to power and pocketing whatever money they have. The ICC investment apart from just monetary should be to get USACA, their board, in order and then things will just flow in the right direction.

7. Kenya

They had shown promise. ICC did not focus on them and then they lost their way. The country surely has got talent. Their board is now taking some steps to improve the game, but like most associates they also need exposure to better teams.

8. Netherlands

Netherlands can be the gateway for the game into mainland Europe, as presently it is limited to the British Isles. Netherlands have a strong cricketing culture but ICC needs to help develop the game at junior level and as already discussed, help establish a Euro Domestic league involving Scotland & Ireland. If the game picks here then it is bound to spread to Denmark, Belgium & France.

9. China

China is the future. It is the superpower of sports. If China takes the game, that means 20% of humanity has taken the game and along with South Asia that means half of the world is playing it. Not only by number of people, China is full of money and ICC can earns loads from here. What does ICC need to do, well simply, get the games in Olympics. We all know once the game is in Olympics, China will get involved. Besides that, ICC surely needs to create many coaching centers around the country which is the best way to spread the game. ICC would have to invest at least for 10 years before expecting any returns.

10 Argentina

Surprised? Well, do you know before the World War, the Argentina Cricket team was almost as powerful as the Kiwis. They had the largest British population outside Britain. The game has a long history and at one time the game was more popular than football. But with ICC’s insistence of making members from the commonwealth and with British expats leaving the country, it led to the decline of the game.

Now why Argentina? The answer is simple. Cricket has got its strongholds in all continents except South America. So Argentina is the doorway. If the game develops here, then it has a good chance of taking it to South and Central America.

The ICC surely is doing some work but it is just general in nature. ICC needs to pick up countries as project and close them for maximum impact and let’s hope it happens soon.

Published with permission from Associate & Affiliate World Cricket