(Reuters) – The Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) has expressed concerns about the sustainability of the English men’s domestic schedule for 2024, suggesting that it increases the risk of injury for players. According to the schedule, the County Championship will run from April to September with a break for T20 Blast competition and One-Day Cup.
More than 130 matches of the T20 Blast will take place from May 30 to July 19, with teams playing two matches mostly between Thursdays and Sundays, sometimes on consecutive days.
Essex’s PCA representative, Sam Cook, stressed the potential impact on player welfare and performance, particularly with regards to travel throughout high-intensity periods of T20 cricket. He expressed his concerns about the schedule disregarding the welfare of players and support staff and increasing the risk of injury.
PCA CEO Rob Lynch echoed these concerns, describing the men’s domestic calendar in England and Wales as unsustainable and in need of reform. He acknowledged that the English board understands the schedule is not ideal and has an ambition to seriously look at the 2025 fixture list following recent game-wide conversations.
Gloucestershire’s David Payne also raised objections to the schedule, labeling it as “unrelenting” and highlighting the lack of appropriate time between fixtures on several occasions.
The concerns raised by the PCA and players highlight the need for a reevaluation of the scheduling and its potential impact on player welfare and performance in the English men’s domestic cricket scene. The PCA’s comments serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges related to the sustainability and welfare of players in professional cricket.
The announcement of the 2024 fixtures has underscored the urgent need for reform within the men’s domestic calendar in England and Wales, as well as the willingness of the game to address these issues in future fixture lists.
Domestic cricket in England and Wales has faced criticism for its demanding schedule, with players and support staff expressing concerns about the impact on player welfare and performance. The need for reform and a thorough evaluation of the scheduling has been highlighted by the PCA and players, calling for a more sustainable and player-friendly approach in future fixture lists.
These concerns come at a time when the sustainability and welfare of players in professional cricket are being closely examined, with the hope that the English board and relevant authorities will take these concerns into account and make necessary changes to ensure the well-being and performance of players in domestic cricket.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
