ICC squeezing Windies says Brathwaite

Chief executive officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Roger Brathwaite has come out swinging against what he described as the ICC’s “detrimental” business model that is putting a squeeze on the wallets of poorer cricketing nations. “West Indies cricket finances are at their lowest. The ICC business model just won’t work for the betterment of cricket nations. It is a disastrous model for the future of the game,” Brathwaite said in an interview with Rediff.com. Brathwaite, in India for the ICC Management Committee meeting, plans to spell out the WICB’s problem with the Future Tour Programme (FTP) and argue for favourable terms to help stem the flow of red ink. The FTP — which ensures that all Test-playing nations play each other on a regular basis — has been roundly criticised by the WICB for ignoring the fact that it puts a strain on its finances.

The WICB chief executive told Rediff that, earlier, when the West Indies toured England for a four-Test and five one-day series, it would reach an understanding with the English and Wales Cricket Board about sharing of gate money. Likewise, when England would tour the West Indies, there would be an agreement to the same effect. But not anymore. Since the past three years the host country pockets the entire gate collection. “With the FTP, even though there is notional fees exchange, no money exchanges hands. Earlier we could negotiate money with Australia and England; not anymore,” Barthwaite said, pointing out that without domestic television rights and a population of only six million, getting sponsorship for cricket is quite a challenge. With no local television market, selling the game is as difficult as unearthing quality talent. “We will fight our cause. The Future Tour Programme will decide how world cricket is financed in the future,” Brathwaite added.