Men's Global Employment Report 2020

FICA MEN’S PROFESSIONAL CRICKET GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT REPORT 2020 IT’S ESSENTIAL THE GLOBAL CRICKET STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP PROTECTS THE HISTORY OF THE GAME AND PLAYERS SHOULD BE ALSO ITS FUTURE. DOMESTIC ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK LEAGUES AND INTERNATIONAL UP ON BIG ISSUES IN SPORT CRICKET BOTH HAVE A REALLY AND SOCIETY. WITH STRONG IMPORTANT PLACE AND THERE LEADERSHIP CRICKET CAN BE NEEDS TO BE A BALANCE A GENUINE FORCE FOR GOOD. BETWEEN THEM.

Jason Holder Eoin Morgan

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ONE OF THE THINGS OUR THE ROLE OF PLAYERS’ EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED TO ASSOCIATIONS EMBRACED SINCE FORMING A PLAYERS’ ACROSS THE WHOLE CRICKET ASSOCIATION... IS THAT PLAYERS WORLD. PLAYER VOICE IS ARE OFTEN THE ONES LEFT ON IMPORTANT TO PROTECTING THE END OF THE LINE WHEN BOTH PLAYERS AND THE GAME. LEAGUES FALL OVER OR WHEN IN MY EXPERIENCE PLAYERS CLUBS AND LEAGUES DON’T CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE GAME HONOUR COMMITMENTS. WE AND WANT TO ENSURE IT’S HOPE THE ICC WORK WITH FICA HEALTHY AND THRIVING. TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS.

Aaron Finch William Porterfield

2 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 3 BACKGROUND

AT THE TIME OF WRITING, THERE We know that structural issues, terms and conditions CRICKET SHOULD BE PROACTIVELY ARE MORE THAN 4191 REGISTERED of employment, and wage gaps all remain key drivers PROTECTING FUNDAMENTAL MEN’S PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS of player employment decisions, particularly given there PLAYER RIGHTS AT GLOBAL LEVEL. is now an alternative, global domestic league market for IN THE WORLD. players to play in. We have also seen flexible and effective The ICC currently regulates the ‘sanctioned cricket’ A significant number of these, along with past players, arrangements implemented in several progressive framework, which purports to give it, and it’s members, are represented by FICA, and FICA’s member players’ countries to address some of the inherent issues the right to sanction cricket events in certain associations. This report focuses on the men’s player and imbalances in the global system. circumstances. It also purports to prevent players from employment landscape globally and specifically across playing in ‘un-sanctioned’ cricket. The sanctioned cricket twelve ICC full member countries, and Scotland, where FICA continues to urge the game’s decision makers framework has never been agreed with players, or their FICA has a member players’ association. to work with the players, including through their collective representatives, and accordingly, players are still not representatives at global and domestic level, to develop afforded basic fundamental rights and protections at Our last men’s employment report looked at the shifting agreed sustainable structures and fair regulatory global level and within the framework, despite being landscape, and particularly the evolution of the domestic frameworks that address many of the issues highlighted prevented from playing outside of it. We know, for leagues landscape, and the growing tension between the in this report. FICA will be engaging proactively with example, that: ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ employment pathways. Many key stakeholders in the game with a view to taking the of the trends identified in that report have continued over outcomes of this report forward. • Players across several ICC member countries the last two years, and new challenges have emerged for are actively prevented or discouraged from players and the game. Players are moving more around the OUR GAME DESPERATELY NEEDS forming, or joining, a players’ association; A significant barrier to progress in this area has world than they ever have before, and are engaged by the A COHERENT GLOBAL STRUCTURE. historically been a resistance from the ICC, or its game in numerous different ways, in a complex multi-employer • 32% of players have experienced non or late members, to entering into agreements with players The global game continues to operate in a way that system. Players are also operating in a global system that payment under cricket contracts within the ICC’s collectively, notably FICA, at global level which mutually is by definition, based on individual, rather than collective 2 lacks coherence, and which ultimately doesn’t effectively sanctioned cricket framework; benefit and protect both players and the game. Instead global thinking.1 It is a growing issue that the structure protect them against many of the harms we know are of resisting this, in our view, the game actually has an of the game is not underpinned by a set of fundamental • 16% of players in ICC member countries have caused to them in the system regulated by the ICC, obligation to protect, and provide a safe space, for principles agreed at global level with the various experienced bullying or intimidation; despite our continued efforts to ensure it does. players to form and join genuinely representative stakeholders operating within it, including the players. players’ associations, and collectively negotiate the • Player commercial rights, including their image and In 2020 FICA released its updated Principles, which guide terms of their participation, at both domestic and Whilst the traditional, international cricket focused attributes, are used at global level for commercial FICA’s advocacy for players. They underline FICA’s commitment global level. In cricket and other sports, history tells landscape remains strong in some countries, and through purposes, often without their agreement or consent. to ensuring the game protects, respects, and enforces us that where this happens, the outcomes for both ICC events, it is in jeopardy across numerous countries and internationally recognised human (and employment) rights, players and the sport will always be better. there are limited pathways to the top for others. Our game All of these instances of harm are inconsistent with and that the global game continues to grow and develop. has four core formats; Test, four-day domestic, 50 over, the internationally recognised rights that players should Those things are not mutually exclusive. We and the players see a media release every time and T20, and has added further formats in recent years. be afforded. Other progressive sports are starting to a player breaches the ICC’s Code of Conduct. We The global cricket calendar provides choice, but it lacks proactively address these types of issues at global level, THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE IN continue to urge the ICC to also work with us to embed, coherence, simplicity and clarity. The development and or have already. Despite our efforts over a number of at global level, proactive protections for players who are ENSURING THAT MORE PLAYERS, evolution of the domestic leagues landscape and a more years, cricket hasn’t, and it’s global regulatory system vulnerable, and where the game is causing them harm, FROM MORE COUNTRIES, CAN club based model has added another dimension to this, and lacks legitimacy as a result. rather than simply sanctioning them when they fall out put further strain on finite global calendar space. Players HAVE VIABLE CAREERS. of line. FICA remains committed to this course of action, operate across all of these landscapes, and their career Earlier this year we attended the ILO Global Dialogue This report also highlights some of the progress, issues, and and we do not believe it is a sustainable position for decisions continue to drive the direction of the game. Forum on Decent Work in the World of Sport in Geneva.3 barriers to progress, across major cricket countries relating to the ICC, its members, and the global game in general, That forum, which the ICC did not attend,4 made it the game generally, and player employment in those countries. to continue to fail to act in a manner consistent with At the time of writing, the structure of the game for the clear that players’ must be afforded fundamental rights In speaking to players around the world, there is a deep respect international norms, and the clear direction of travel next ICC events rights cycle, which will commence after at work. The rights applicable to sport and players, and acknowledgement of the fortunate position they are in, in world sport. 2023, is being discussed. We urge the game to ensure this sourced from various international legal instruments, but the reality for the vast majority of the world’s professional piece of work is founded on a set of principles agreed with are comprehensively set out in the World Players’ cricketers is that they work hard to earn a reasonable living TOM MOFFAT key stakeholders, including the players, as to how the global Association Declaration of Player Rights, to which in an environment characterized by insecurity, short term FICA CEO game can move forward, and in particular, how the various FICA is a signatory. They include for example, the contract periods and differing levels of welfare support. landscapes mentioned above, can co-exist, and balance. right to freedom of association (i.e. the right to form For most, it is a challenge to have a viable career. and join a players’ association), and to collectively 1 The ICC has referred to itself as a ‘members’ organisation’ negotiate terms and conditions of employment. 2 FICA Global Player Survey 2019, based on 277 men’s professional cricketer respondents 4 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 3 The International Labour Organisation is an agency of the United Nations 5 4 FIFA, the IOC, and World Rugby all attended this forum as observers OUR OUR VISION PRIORITIES

To be recognised and respected PLAYERS as the global representative federation Serving players’ collective of all professional cricketers, past interests globally and present, around the world. Players are at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to strengthen our relationships and affinity with them, continue to understand their needs, and their issues, and represent and OUR deliver for them at global level THE GAME PURPOSE Positively influencing the direction of the global game FICA IS THE WORLD We care about the game. Through our research, knowledge and thought PLAYERS’ BODY IN CRICKET. leadership, we will have a positive impact FICA is a democratic player-driven on the direction of the global game and especially on issues that matter to players organisation that brings together the world’s professional cricketers under an international body which focuses on MEMBER PLAYERS’ matters that affect the players collectively, ASSOCIATIONS and the global game. Players who are THIS REPORT Strengthening and growing members of a FICA member association our global influence

are, by extension, also guaranteed Our member players’ associations are This is the second FICA’s Men’s Professional Cricket Global Employment Market Report and it covers the cricket the support of the other players’ the lifeblood of FICA. We will support and seasons across the world during 2018 and 2019. Whilst we do not have a perfect data set, it aims to provide as associations in other countries. strengthen them, ensuring they benefit accurate and balanced an assessment as possible of the men’s game global employment market in which players from being part of our global collective, around the world are looking to build successful and meaningful careers. This report will: whilst encouraging and assisting the growth of new players’ associations worldwide TRACK INFORM CONTRIBUTE ADVOCATE

a full range of the game’s stakeholders, to the future direction for more consistent data points and decision-makers, of the game by playing structures player insights with media and fans with providing thought and global minimum subsequent consistent reliable, accurate leadership on some standards in employment monitoring allowing information deriving a of the key issues, conditions ensuring that for the identification better understanding challenges and cricket remains vibrant of patterns and trends of the realities of the opportunities that by offering viable, across the game professional game and the game faces secure and rewarding the career choices and professional careers issues faced by players for its players

6 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 7 11 KEY FINDINGS

1. CRICKET BEHIND of cricketers worldwide are not treated contracts a player may hold, or attempts enduring resilience of the format. Players with the respect they are due given their to unreasonably withhold No Objection are resolutely against mandatory 4-day OTHER SPORTS IN role in the game, suffer unacceptably Certificates (NOC’s). Many of these Test cricket whilst being supportive of ACCEPTING THE ROLE poor employment standards, practices have sought to restrain players promotion and relegation in any future OF PLAYERS commercial exploitation, and fragile out of contract, which is unacceptable. Test Championship employment terms. Whilst the majority of cricketers worldwide are from countries where 7. GOOD NEWS – THE 10. NO SOLUTIONS TO a players’ association exists, it remains 4. GETTING PAID IS GAME IS GROWING ADDRESS THE HAVE’S a serious concern to FICA that a large STILL A PROBLEM V HAVE NOT’S number of cricketers, especially The number of professional players A third of professional cricketers those of India and Pakistan, do not has increased, the number of overseas Consistently throughout the report surveyed have encountered issues of have collective representation by a league opportunities has increased, insights and statistics highlight the non-payment of playing contracts. This fully-functioning and recognized players’ worldwide game revenues are increasing, challenges of smaller cricket economies figure is in reality much higher as it does association. FICA also remains concerned short-form cricket leagues are growing and especially new ICC full members not include players from countries where that the ICC will not enter into a formal audiences and the number of players or leading associate countries. The we know non-payment is endemic. This agreement with players collectively (FICA) represented by properly structured structures of the game, from playing is completely unacceptable, and there at global level, following best practice players’ associations continues to grow. schedules to central distributions serve are clear solutions to this issue. All players as seen in other global sports including only to reinforce the hegemony of the are due timely and accurate payment football and rugby. larger cricket countries. The have not’s for playing in the professional game. 8. INTERNATIONAL CRICKET REMAINS continue to face almost insurmountable 2. GOVERNANCE, issues around revenue generation, 5. BEING A PRO A MESS investment, playing opportunity and CORRUPTION AND flight of talent. These countries flirt with CRICKETER IS NOT Since the last report that has been little systematic failure year on year and are INTEGRITY ISSUES or no change in the global structure A SECURE JOB reliant on handouts from the wealthier STILL PERSIST of international cricket. The ICC’s new parts of the game. Over 50% of cricketers still feel insecure Test Championship is a sticking plaster It is a significant concern to the game that or very insecure in their employment. solution that will not solve a systematic, during the period of this report a quarter This figure in reality will be higher, fundamental imbalance in the of the ICC’s twelve full member boards 11. DOMESTIC LEAGUE as it does not include players from international game. There is significant faced serious issues of corruption, legal CRICKET IS HERE countries where we know contract inconsistency across countries, formats proceedings instigated by their players’ security is even more fragile. That 16% and schedules. Whilst the challenges TO STAY AND IT’S A association or suspension from the ICC. of responding players have also felt associated with developing a clear SPECIALISTS’ GAME This highlights a distinct lack of globally bullied or intimidated by their employer and coherent global structure are accepted minimum governance The domestic leagues have consolidated paints a very alarming picture of understood, the mess of international standards across the game. and a global calendar appears to be professional cricket employment. cricket is confusing for fans and chaotic settling. FICA anticipates that the for players and player pathways. The size, number of games, revenues and global scheduling calendar should be 3. GLOBAL 6. RESTRAINT OF popularity of the established leagues built around a set of principles agreed INCONSISTENCIES IN will only grow. Whilst new formats now TRADE WON’T GO with key stakeholders in the game. PLAYER EMPLOYMENT AWAY move the leagues beyond a singular RIGHTS focus on T20, their essential structures During the report period, individual 9. TEST REMAINS and attractiveness to players of certain Players in those countries in which players’ boards, worldwide, have continued to PINNACLE abilities endures. League cricket, across associations not only exist, but are fully advocate and implement the unfair the world is a clear and viable career functioning, recognized and effective, restriction on the movement of players. Despite the growth of league cricket path, especially for players from smaller have well-structured employments This is in the form of blanket bans on 82% of surveyed players still rank Test cricket economies, and we are seeing a systems that provide them with a players from certain countries playing cricket as the most important format. growth in the volume of league specialist recognized set of minimum employment abroad, the setting of arbitrary ceilings The number of Tests played during the cricketers playing almost exclusively standards. However, a significant number on the number of overseas league time period of this report highlight the league cricket at the peak of their careers.

8 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 9 CONTENTS

Introduction 4 SECTION 4 10 key findings 8 40 COUNTRY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS Introduction 42 SECTION 1 Afghanistan 44 12 THE MEN’S PROFESSIONAL CRICKET GLOBAL PLAYING & EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE Australia 45 Overview 14 Bangladesh 46 England 47 SECTION 2 India 48 16 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET Ireland 49 Overview 18 New Zealand 50 International volume of cricket by format 20 Pakistan 51 International volume of cricket by format by country 22 Scotland 52 International player workload 26 South Africa 53

SECTION 3 Sri Lanka 54 28 DOMESTIC LEAGUE CRICKET West Indies 55 Overview 30 Zimbabwe 56 The Major Leagues annual calendar 32 SECTION 5 Number of players playing in more than one league 36 58 2019 FICA MEN’S PLAYER SURVEY RESULTS Domestic league players workloads 38 Representation & Voice 60 Employment Rights 61 Cricket Structure 62 Welfare 63 FICA members and FICA contacts 65

10 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 11 THE MEN’S PROFESSIONAL CRICKET GLOBAL PLAYING 1 & EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE

12 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 13 4191 MEN’S PROFESSIONAL | FIRST CLASS | OVERVIEW LIST A | MAJOR DOMESTIC LEAGUE CRICKETERS IN THE 13 COUNTRIES COVERED BY THIS REPORT DURING THE REPORT PERIOD FICA has identified that for the 2018/19 seasons across the world there were 4191 registered men’s professional, first class or List A cricketers spread across the 12 ICC MEN’S PROFESSIONAL | FIRST CLASS | LIST A | MAJOR DOMESTIC LEAGUE CRICKETERS BY COUNTRY: full member countries and countries in which FICA works with recognized players’ associations.1 Afghanistan 148

This section analyses the employment landscape in Australia 193 which those cricketers are looking to build meaningful and rewarding careers. Bangladesh 224

Whilst on a global scale, 4191 players, in a team sport, England 410 does not represent a significantly large professional sporting workforce the research highlights that cricket, India 1031 more than any other comparable sport, engages its players via a complex myriad of employment and Ireland 80 contractual structures. It is also a significant increase from the 3162 of our previous report 2 years ago. New Zealand 148 Almost all countries have seen their playing workforce increase and significantly the recognition of a number Pakistan 464 of states in India into first class cricket has seen the number rise significantly. Scotland 20

Not only is there huge disparity and variety in the South Africa* 440 terms and conditions under which players play, the employment landscape in which they operate Sri Lanka 509 continues to shift and change. West Indies 199

Zimbabwe 111

*Includes Africa Cup

1 It is acknowledged that there are some professional contracts offered to players in some countries that are not covered by this report

14 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 15 INTERNATIONAL 2 CRICKET

16 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 17 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STATISTICS OVERVIEW

It remains FICA’s view that International cricket, and International fixtures its continued viability, is of significant importance to the global framework of the game. Revenues during 2018/19 from international cricket, including the ICC events, 259 are the financial lifeblood of most national cricket economies worldwide and remain the fundamental revenue stream for funding professional cricket.

The ICC Test Championship is currently in its infancy Test matches and FICA remains concerned with an approach that during 2018/19 looks to wrap a narrative competition structure 48 around a significantly inconsistent and imbalanced international calendar.

This section looks to highlight a range of key data points that make up the playing context days of international of international cricket 92 cricket for Joe Root

number of international 23 fixtures for Ireland

18 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 19 VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET BY FORMAT

This section illustrates the changing volumes of the three international cricket formats over the time period from 2003 to 2019

TOTAL MATCHES PERCENTAGES BY FORMAT

2003 196 2003 2007 2011 2007 266 209 KEY 2011 14.29 11.65 10.05 2016 251 18.66 Tests 22.45 2018-19 259 ODI’s

T20’s 77.55 74.06 71.29 TOTAL TEST MATCHES

2003 44 2007 31 2016 2018-19 2011 39 2016 47 18.73 18.53 2018-19 48

40.23 32.05

TOTAL ODI’S 41.04 49.42

2003 152 2007 197 2011 149 2016 103 2018-19 128

TOTAL T20’S COMMENTARY

0 2003 > 259 fixtures represents a comparably high number from previous years, 2007 38 not a decline in the volume of international cricket that has been much mooted. 2011 21 > 48 Test matches is more than the 2016 report period. 2016 101 2018-19 83 > At 49.4% of all international fixtures One Day cricket has re-asserted itself as the most-played format of international cricket. This report period covered a World Cup year, and lead up period.

20 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 21 Enlnd testsEngland Enlnd ODIs Enlnd T20 VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET 35 30 BY COUNTRY 28 24

17 18 This section illustrates the shifting volumes of international 13 13 11 10 9 8 8 cricket by format and by country 7

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20

Afhnistn Tests Afhnistn ODIs Afhnistn T20s Indi tests Indi ODIs Indi T20 Afghanistan India 39 34

21 20 20 19 15 13 14 13 12 12 10 8 8 5 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20 TESTS ODI T20

Austrli TestsAustralia Austrli ODIs Austrli T20s Irelnd testsIreland Irelnd ODIs Irelnd T20 Irelnd T20

35 35

29 25

19 19

13 12 11 12 13 13 10 11 9 9 9 6 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20 TESTS ODI T20

Bnldesh testsBangladesh Bnldesh ODI Bnldesh T20 New ZelndNew tests Zealand New Zelnd ODIs New Zelnd T20s

33 30

24 21 20 20 19 16 16 17 13 13 11 9 9 10 8 7 7 8 5 5 6 5 2 2 2 2 0 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20 TESTS ODI T20

22 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 23 Sri Lnk testsSri Lanka Sri Lnk ODIs Sri Lnk T20s VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET BY COUNTRY 28 29 29

19 17 16 This section illustrates the shifting volumes of international 12 11 9 8 cricket by format and by country 7 8 5 4 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20

Pkistn testsPakistan Pkistn ODIs Pkistn T20s West Indies testWest Indies West Indies ODIs West Indies T20s

33 32 28

23 24 21 18 19 18 15 15 13 14 11 11 10 9 10 10 10 9 8 8 8 5 5 5 5

0 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20 TESTS ODI T20

Scotlnd testsScotland Scotlnd ODIs Scotlnd T20s Zimbbwe testsZimbabwe Zimbbwe ODIs Zimbbwe T20s

24 26

18 17 15 11 11 12 8 9 7 6 6 4 4 4 2 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

TESTS ODI T20 TESTS ODI T20

South AfricSouth tests Africa South Afric ODIs South Afric T20s COMMENTARY 30

24 > India was the only team to play over 50 fixtures.

17 17 15 > Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, West Indies all played more than 40 fixtures. 12 10 9 9 9 8 8 > England and India played the most Tests – consistent with previous years. 5 3 0 > ICC Full member countries Afghanistan and Ireland played only 29 and 23 international

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19 fixtures respectively – highlighting the challenge to secure fixtures for new full members.

> As a general trend across countries, with some exceptions, there is an inverse relationship TESTS ODI T20 between the number of ODI’s scheduled and the number of T20’s.

24 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 25 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER WORKLOAD

KEY The following graphic Afghanistan Pakistan Scotland illustrates the player from 0 – 22 2003 N/A 2003 M Yousuf 63 2003 N/A each of the countries 23 – 44 considered in this report 2007 N/A 2007 K Akmal 70 2007 RR Watson 19 45 – 66 who played the most days 2011 KS Samiullah 2 2011 M Hafeez 87 2011 CS MacLeod / RD Berrington 4

of international cricket 67 – 88 2016 M Shahzad / R Khan 27 2016 S Ahmed 81 2016 MH Cross / RD Berrington 14 during each year highlighted 89 – 110 2018-19 Rashid Khan 33 2018-19 Sarfraz Ahmed 82 2018-19 George Munsey 17

Australia Bangladesh South Africa Sri Lanka

2003 ML Hayden 92 2003 A Kapali 66 2003 M Ntini / M Boucher 83 2003 K Sangakkara / M Atapattu 61

2007 ML Hayden 60 2007 M Ashraful 54 2007 AB de Villiers 86 2007 DPMD Jayawardene 77

2011 BJ Haddin 71 2011 M Rahim / S Al Hasan 47 2011 H Amla 43 2011 K Sangakkara 86

2016 SPD Smith 89 2016 S Rahman / S Al Hasan 35 2016 K Radaba 68 2016 LD Chandimal 65

2018-19 Tim Paine 59 2018-19 Mahmudullah 76 2018-19 Kaigiso Rabada 66 2018-19 BKG Mendis 83

England India West Indies Zimbabwe

2003 ME Trescothick 90 2003 V Sewhag 52 2003 BC Lara 71 2003 HH Streak 52

2007 PD Collingwood 96 2007 MS Dhoni 85 2007 D Ramdin 53 2007 E Chigumbura 19

2011 GP Swann 68 2011 MS Dhoni 87 2011 DJG Sammy 82 2011 BRM Taylor 36

2016 MM Ali / J Root 109 2016 V Kohli 85 2016 MN Samuels 61 2016 AG Cremer 40

2018-19 Joe Root 92 2018-19 Virat Kohli 89 2018-19 Shai Hope 71 2018-19 Hamilton Masakadza 44

Ireland New Zealand

2003 N/A 2003 DL Vettori 55

2007 NJ O’Brien / WK McCallan 19 2007 BB McCullum 51 COMMENTARY

2011 KJ O’Brien / WTS Porterfield 12 2011 LRPL Taylor / BB McCullum 44 > The numbers above highlight the huge volume of cricket disparity across countries.

2016 WTS Porterfield 17 2016 KS Williamson 78 > Joe Root (92) and Virat Kohli (89) show the workload requirements for multi-format cricketers in countries that also play significant volumes of test cricket. When travel, practice and league 2018-19 Paul Stirling 26 2018-19 KS Williamson 58 cricket are added to this volume the stress in the system becomes apparent.

> Paul Stirling (26) and Rashid Khan (33) representing the most international days played in their respective countries highlight the challenges for new full members to gain international experience.

> Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah (76) represents a significant volume of cricket uplift to Bangladesh, establishing themselves in the top bracket of the game by volume.

> Tim Paine (59) is low for Australia based on historic comparison due in part to player suspensions and team selection. 26 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 27 DOMESTIC 3 LEAGUE CRICKET

28 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 29 T20 LEAGUES STATISTICS OVERVIEW

Historically this section has focused on T20 domestic THE INDIAN league cricket. FICA has made the decision to ‘drop’ the PREMIER LEAGUE T20 from the description as this section now needs to 53% recognize new formats of short-form league cricket, including T10 and the future ‘Hundred’ competition. of players surveyed is still the most

The creation of T20 is a story of unintended would consider rejecting sought-after domestic consequences. It has given birth to a whole new a national contract for league contract for landscape (the horizontal landscape – see FICA an improved domestic the majority of players report 2016) of professional cricket and has led to the development of at least two new formats league contract of professional cricket (T10 and Hundred).

‘The leagues’ are here to stay. They are popular with fans, they are viable career pathways for players and they established commercial products for boards.

FICA anticipates a period of consolidation over the coming years, with the establishment of a two-tier league system. ‘The Major Leagues’ with many of the world’s leading players; and ‘The Minor Leagues’, 541 124 those well-established leagues below the major the number of overseas the number of players leagues, but that provide high quality competition and employment for players from across the world. player contracts in playing for 2 or more domestic league cricket overseas domestic The failure or demise of several league concepts and continued non-payment issues during the reporting league teams period of this report serve to temper the previously anticipated explosion in domestic league cricket.

30 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 31 THE MAJOR LEAGUES ANNUAL CALENDAR

The 2018/19 calendar of major ICC sanctioned domestic leagues

COUNTRY NOV 18 DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 19

United Arab UAE T10 LEAGUE Emirates 8 teams, 29 matches

Australia BIG BASH LEAGUE 8 teams, 59 matches

New Zealand NZ SUPER SMASH 6 teams, 32 matches

Bangladesh BANGLADESH PREMIER LEAGUE 7 teams, 46 matches

Pakistan PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE 6 teams, 34 matches

India INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 8 teams, 60 matches

South Africa CSA T20 CHALLENGE 6 teams, 33 games

England VITALITY BLAST 18 teams, 133 games

Canada GLOBAL T20 LEAGUE 6 teams, 22 games

Caribbean CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE 6 teams, 34 matches

South Africa MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE 6 teams, 32 matches

COMMENTARY

> The domestic leagues represent year-round playing opportunities with only some overlap in the calendar. > The IPL continues to operate in an ‘unofficial’ globally-recognised window, with payments paid from the BCCI to other national Boards assisting to secure this. > Since the previous report the calendar has expanded and includes new leagues, new formats an increase in the volume of fixtures and an increase in playing opportunities. > Not all ICC full member countries own / run domestic leagues. > Ownership models vary across the leagues with varying levels of engagement with player collective representatives. > There are no agreed employment minimum standards across the sanctioned cricket landscape, despite the ICC and its members regulating it at global level, and effectively preventing players from competing in un-sanctioned cricket.

32 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT > During the report period, individual boards have continued to push for a global restriction on the number of leagues 33 players can play in, regardless of contract status. 541 THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS PLAYER CONTRACTS ACROSS THE MAJOR DOMESTIC LEAGUES

TOTAL PLAYERS

Afghanistan Premier League 88

Australian Big Bash 149

Bangladesh Premier League 136

Canada Global T20 91

England Vitality Blast 293

Indian Premier League 162

NZ Super Smash 106

Pakistan Super League 121

SA Mzanzi Super League 102

UAE T10 league 121

Caribbean Premier League 101

OVERSEAS PLAYERS

Afghanistan Premier League 32

Australian Big Bash 26

Bangladesh Premier League 56

Canada Global T20 68

England Vitality Blast 81

Indian Premier League 60

NZ Super Smash 14

Pakistan Super League 47

SA Mzanzi Super League 16

UAE T10 league 110

Caribbean Premier League 31

34 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 35 NUMBER OF PLAYERS PLAYING IN MORE THAN ONE LEAGUE

PLAYING FOR 1 OVERSEAS TEAM PLAYING FOR 7 OVERSEAS TEAMS

178 1 C Ingram

BIG APL BASH VITALITY IPL PSL UAE CPL

PLAYING FOR 2 OVERSEAS TEAMS 57

PLAYING FOR 3 OVERSEAS TEAMS PLAYING FOR 8 OVERSEAS TEAMS

26 1 S Lamichhane

BIG APL BASH BPL CANADA IPL PSL UAE CPL

PLAYING FOR 4 OVERSEAS TEAMS 22

PLAYING FOR 5 OVERSEAS TEAMS

A Khan, Delport, Deveich, Evans, Fletcher, Green, Gurney, 13 Munro, Parnell, Pollard, R Khan, Stirling, ten Doeschate

COMMENTARY PLAYING FOR 6 OVERSEAS TEAMS > 541 overseas contract opportunities represents a huge increase of 210 from the 331 4 Bravo, Gayle, Russell, Viljoen opportunities in the last report. > The volume of playing opportunities set alongside many of the names above highlight the career opportunities for players from ‘smaller’ cricket economies.

> 302 different players played in overseas domestic leagues – effectively the volume of professional players from an established ICC full member country.

> The individuals playing for 5 teams or more represent a potential new category of free-agent player ‘The league specialists’ – many of whom have limited international careers, including playing very little Test cricket, and are not within national contract structures.

36 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 37 DOMESTIC LEAGUE PLAYER WORKLOADS

This section illustrates the growth of domestic league cricket from a playing volume perspective. It identifies the players who played the most domestic league matches during each year highlighted

2003 2007 2011 2016 2018-19

BM EDMONDSON T HENDERSON JA RUDOLPH KC SANGAKKARA C DE GRANDHOMME

R MCLAREN RN TEN DOESCHATE AD RUSSELL MUJEEB ZADRAN IMRAN TAHIR AJ TYE RASHID KHAN

AC THOMAS IS SODHI DT CHRISTIAN C MUNRO PD TREGO

7 13 14 16 17 35 37 40 45 46 48 51 61 40 41 41 41 42 43 44 44 44 45 48 51 51 52 61

S AL HASAN DJG SAMMY DJ BRAVO JC ARCHER GJ MAXWELL ASIF ALI BB MCCULLUM C INGRAM

DP NANNES CA LYNN DJ BRAVO KA POLLARD

M VAN YAARSVELD

MW GOODWIN

W YOUNIS CO OBUYA NV KNIGHT GG WAGG AD BROWN JN BATTY NM CARTER NMK SMITH AJ HOLLIOAKE MR RAMPRAKASH TJ PENNY COMMENTARY

> That the player playing the most domestic league cricket days is Rashid Khan from Afghanistan demonstrates the ability for talented players from around the world to build a meaningful, viable career in overseas league cricket.

> It is notable that no Indian player is in the list of players playing more than 40 days. This is a consequence of India restricting all its players from playing in any overseas leagues.

> Many of the players in the list above for the current report period are still in their ‘cricket prime’ – a reflection of the parallel career choice offered by the leagues.

38 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 39 COUNTRY BY COUNTRY 4 ANALYSIS

40 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 41 INTRODUCTION

This section provides a comparative overview PLAYER REMUNERATION of the professional cricket landscape in each of the ICC Full Member Countries as well as Regarding remuneration, FICA has analysed each Scotland, which has a FICA-member Players’ country’s data and benchmarked it against a scale Association. It provides an overview of the variety of global average remuneration levels in the game. of employment conditions for players worldwide. The following three point comparison scale is used: It is the intention of FICA to continue to conduct Above global average remuneration this analysis on a semi-regular basis. PROFESSIONAL CRICKET Around global average remuneration OVERVIEW Below global average remuneration The most recent challenges and employment The scale used is purely for numerical comparison market issues are reviewed at the start of each purposes and is not a FICA assessment of the relative country’s analysis to provide a snapshot of the value of remuneration to players in each country. professional cricket landscape in each country. PLAYER EMPLOYMENT LIMITED DATA ASSESSMENT Where FICA has been unable to attain relevant and accurate data or relevant qualitative insight FICA has then assessed each country against a set into a particular employment specific then of key employment metrics which has been done via ‘Unknown’ has been used. the collation of comprehensive employment data from both players’ associations, player engagement and surveys and other credible sources.

The assessment has been done by FICA against its internal best-practice benchmarking and presented for this document using a “traffic light” system in relation to the players themselves:

Positive employment market situation

Acceptable employment market situation but potential to improve

Negative employment market situation or no provision

42 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT 43 COUNTRY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS FICA MEMBER COUNTRY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS AFGHANISTAN AUSTRALIA PROFESSIONAL CRICKET OVERVIEW PROFESSIONAL CRICKET OVERVIEW That Afghanistan can produce world class cricketers matches and far fewer ODI’s than most other countries. Since the last report Australia has consolidated its address the issues. The ACA continues to be one of the is not in doubt. Rashid Khan is unquestionably one of Full member status may in fact be hindering their position alongside the other two members of the ‘big leading players’ associations across sport worldwide, the most popular and recognisable cricketers in the development as they struggle to create a meaningful three’ in India and England. The men’s professional serving the needs of its members and the game. The game. His continued rise, and that of some of his other and viable international calendar, especially against more game in Australia is strong, financially secure and players’ retirement fund and grassroots cricket fund national team colleagues, demonstrates the power of established countries. FICA has limited insight into the vibrant, and is supported by a long-term broadcast are examples of best practice for the rest of the game the domestic leagues to allow cricketers from developing employment conditions of players in Afghanistan due to a deal and a five year MOU agreement between the to aspire to. Mental health is a growing concern for the cricket countries to compete with the best in the world. lack of a players’ association or any direct relationship with players and the board. Recommendations following association with the number of players ‘self-reporting’ However, on the international stage and domestically, the board. However, it is clear that professional cricketers a game-wide cultural review after the Cape Town on a consistent upward trend. Scheduling issues are a Afghanistan cricket still faces significant challenges to in Afghanistan do not enjoy comparable benefits with test ball-tampering issue are in the process of being continuous challenge for cricket in Australia with the match the levels of the other ICC full members, aside their counterparts worldwide. Security and integrity implemented and there is an increased sense of various formats creating choice, and at times lack of from Ireland. FICA is fundamentally committed to the issues have been a factor in the landscape in Afghanistan, collaboration between the ACA and the board to clarity, for players and fans. development of the game and of a meritocratic pathway with the latter having caused the postponement of the for all cricket countries but little has changed since most recent Afghan Premier League. our last report, Afghanistan having played only 4 Test

PLAYER EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PLAYER EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT

PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

MOU BOARD RELATIONSHIP MOU BOARD RELATIONSHIP

PLAYER WELFARE / PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PLAYER WELFARE / PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

PLAYER CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS (doping, integrity, grievance) PLAYER CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS (doping, integrity, grievance)

NATIONAL CONTRACTS – collectively bargained NATIONAL CONTRACTS – collectively bargained

NATIONAL CONTRACTS – average player earnings NATIONAL CONTRACTS – average player earnings

NATIONAL CONTRACTS – employment benefits (insurance, pension etc) NATIONAL CONTRACTS – employment benefits (insurance, pension etc)

NATIONAL CONTRACTS – player-owned collective commercial rights entity NATIONAL CONTRACTS – player-owned collective commercial rights entity

DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – collectively bargained DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – collectively bargained

DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – average player earnings DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – average player earnings

DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – employment benefits (insurance, pension etc) DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – employment benefits (insurance, pension etc)

DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – player-owned collective commercial rights entity DOMESTIC CONTRACTS – player-owned collective commercial rights entity

FICA / ASSOCIATION ROLE IN DOMESTIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CONTRACTS FICA / ASSOCIATION ROLE IN DOMESTIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CONTRACTS

DOMESTIC LEAGUE PLAYER EARNINGS – marquee players DOMESTIC LEAGUE PLAYER EARNINGS – marquee players

DOMESTIC LEAGUE PLAYER EARNINGS – domestic players DOMESTIC LEAGUE TOURNAMENT PLAYER EARNINGS – domestic players

POSITIVE ACCEPTABLE NEGATIVE UNKNOWN OR N/A POSITIVE ACCEPTABLE NEGATIVE UNKNOWN OR N/A

44 THE FICA 2020 EMPLOYMENT REPORT ABOVE AVERAGE BELOW ABOVE AVERAGE BELOW 45 COUNTRY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS FICA MEMBER FICA MEMBER COUNTRY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS BANGLADESH ENGLAND PROFESSIONAL CRICKET OVERVIEW PROFESSIONAL CRICKET OVERVIEW On the field, Bangladesh cricket continues its upward FICA remains concerned that there are no formally Entering a new long-term broadcast agreement with both domestically and internationally, continues to progress. Its national team which has always been documented collective resolutions. The limited function the new Hundred competition at its heart ensures that be a significant issue in English cricket and the new talented, is now both competitive and significantly of the players’ association and the environment in which England is unquestionably one of the wealthiest and Hundred competition will do little to ease this, as it sets more consistent than in previous years. Bangladesh it is trying to operate are also of concern. The support dominant cricket countries in the game. Its leading itself against other county and international fixtures. demonstrate the time and patience required to build offered to players falls well short of best practice players are some of the most well-remunerated The England international players continue to face the cricket teams that can compete with the leading embodied by other FICA members. The Bangladesh cricketers in the world and cricket is a viable career highest workload of all international cricketers, however nations in the world. However, off the field recent times Premier league is firmly established within the domestic for well over 400 professional cricketers. A new over the last two years more senior England players have been beset with significant issues between the league annual framework and it is a popular playing County Partnership agreement, negotiated by the have been afforded the opportunity to play in overseas players and the board. The players took bold and brave destination for a number of players from other PCA has addressed a number of issues around player domestic leagues. The impact of Brexit is still to be collective action to address issues around employment countries. However, serious and unacceptable issues of employment conditions and minimum standards, fully worked through, although it is clear it will have a conditions and pay and more widely the treatment of non-payment of players, both domestic and overseas, including injury terms and conditions, post-contract major influence on the playing status of Kolpak players cricketers in Bangladesh. That progress was made in remain, requiring significant engagement from FICA. terms, increased freedom of movement between and UK passport holders from Ireland and Scotland. response to the players’ stand is commendable, but counties and improved commercial rights. The ability to The PCA continues to be a vibrant and wide-reaching enforce these provisions will be critical. The PCA has also organisation, delivering an extensive programme of delivered a significant increase in the men’s international support services to players and former players with an retainers and a guaranteed freedom of movement increased focus on areas including mental health, drive However, unlike many of its FICA counterparts, the PCA safety, sexual consent, alcohol and drugs abuse and is still not party to a game-wide collective agreement gambling awareness. between the players and their employers. Scheduling,