The Problem With 'Random' Cricket
For decades, the rhythm of international cricket has been dictated by the Future Tours Programme (FTP), a rolling schedule where member nations agree to host each other for series across different formats. While this system guarantees a steady flow of matches,
it has led to a calendar saturated with bilateral contests that often lack a larger narrative. Outside of iconic rivalries like the Ashes or a series involving India, many tours struggle for relevance, failing to capture the imagination of a global audience. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta recently articulated this issue, stating, "The era of randomly scheduled bilateral series has to come to an end, because countries will not be able to sustain cricket without context." This sentiment reflects a growing concern that without a clear storyline or stakes, many bilateral series are becoming background noise in a crowded sports landscape, struggling for fan attention and financial viability.
The Quest for 'Context'
So, what does the ICC mean by "context"? The answer lies in creating a clear purpose for every match played. The most successful example of this is the World Test Championship (WTC). Introduced to revive interest in the longest format, the WTC ensures that every Test match has points on the line, contributing to a league table that culminates in a grand final. Suddenly, a standalone Test series between New Zealand and South Africa is no longer just a bilateral contest; it's a crucial fixture with implications for the global standings. ICC's acting CEO Geoff Allardice previously noted that the WTC was pleasing because it "brought a lot of context to bilateral fixtures." The vision is to expand this principle across formats, where series serve as qualification pathways for major ICC tournaments like the World Cup and Champions Trophy, making every game a vital part of a larger, more compelling story.
Learning From Global Events
The contrast between the energy of an ICC World Cup and a standard bilateral ODI series is stark. Global tournaments are massive commercial and broadcast successes because they provide a simple, powerful narrative: nations competing for a single, ultimate prize. The viewership and engagement for these events dwarf that of most bilateral tours. The ICC's strategy is to create more of these high-stakes moments. The cricket calendar up to 2031 is already packed with global events, including expanded T20 and ODI World Cups and the return of the Champions Trophy. By giving more weight to these tournaments and making the path to qualification the central focus of the international calendar, the ICC hopes to capture that lightning-in-a-bottle excitement more consistently throughout the year.
The Financial and Political Hurdles
While the vision for a context-driven calendar is compelling, the reality is complicated. The biggest obstacle is money. For many cricket boards, bilateral series—especially those hosting India—are their primary source of revenue through broadcasting rights. Giving up these lucrative tours for a more centralized, context-driven schedule is a difficult financial pill to swallow. Furthermore, the ICC has a coordinating role but does not have the authority to dictate the bilateral schedules of its members; that power rests with the individual boards. Political tensions also play a role, as seen in the complete absence of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan, who now only meet in ICC events. This highlights the ICC's limited ability to influence the sovereign decisions of its most powerful members, making any sweeping calendar reform a delicate negotiation rather than a top-down directive.
