FUTURE PROSPECT OF CRICKET

INTRODUCTION

International cricket in 2015 is a game faced by multiple choices and challenges. It is a game which derives the bulk of its income from international competition, and yet there is a growing divide in wealth and resources between richer and poorer nations. The playing programme is cluttered, lacking in context and frequently chaotic, and it places extraordinary physical and mental demands on players. Test cricket, a treasured format of the game, is losing spectator appeal in many countries, and is challenged by T20 cricket – in which domestic competitions are increasingly a feature of an already over-full schedule. It faces threats to its integrity from match and spot fixing, as well as other challenges to its traditional values.Against this backdrop of uncertainty, professional players are trying to build long and meaningful careers. There are multiple markets open to them, and their loyalty to their countries, and to the traditions of the game, is being tested like never before. Players are looking to cricket’s administrators to provide clear strategy and leadership; to operate with highest standards of integrity; to develop a compelling programme of cricket which allows domestic and international cricket to co-exist successfully; and to strengthen cricket as a global game for the future.Cricket is a successful sport. Its formats offer variety unlike any other sport and in its entirety it is clearly commercially viable with broadcasters, sponsors and fans still willing to pay for cricket rights. The players are at the heart of the future success of the game. They are responsible for delivering the compelling achievements and performances that make the game so great. They are responsible for inspiring the next generation of viewers, fans and players. It is for this reason that players, past, present and future, must have a central role and a clear voice in decision making within the game. In several countries cricket has proved what can be achieved when boards work in a spirit of partnership or cooperation with their recognised players’ associations. All countries should respect the players and their rights, and recognise representative and properly administered and constituted players’ associations. In addition, the game will be better with a strong and proactive international player federation operating across the global professional game. FICA is not an administrator, nor does it aspire to govern the game. As the world players’ body however it has a significant role to play. It has come a long way since inception in 1998 and has delivered some notable achievements and contributions to cricket during this time. FICArepresents the players in seven out of the ten Full Member countries and it aims to build on its already established position in professional cricket. FICA maintains a global view and works to represent the collective views and opinions of all professional players affilliated to it. Its responsibility is not to players in any particular country or region but to the collective of the majority of the world’s professional cricketers which it represents. Even in the countries where player associations do not exist, the players benefit from the work FICA does. It intends to advocate for basic principles which are important to players and players’ associations and to maintain its views on the direction which it believes the game should be taking. However it also recognises that it is an organisation within cricket and that more is achievable when working cooperatively and constructively with those of the game’s administrators who wish to work with it. We are witnessing the Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which is the pinnacle event for the game. However, there is much work to be done following this to ensure that the game across the world is as good as it could and should be. FICA has undertaken a strategic review and delivered a new strategic plan that will take the organisation forward over the next few years. It has established a set of fundamental principles that will guide its position, strategic growth and activity, and will hopefully make a lasting contribution towards a better future for cricket, with players remaining at the heart of the game.

FICA believes in a strong and vibrant global game in which all professional cricketers can build a viable and successful career in a safe, competitive and rewarding environment. FICA acknowledges the reality of where the game finds itself today. It has not always agreed with the direction taken by the game’s administrators but it will nevertheless seek to continue to work within the game and in support of its established Principles, representing the views and interests of professional cricketers around the world. FICA’s Principles have been shaped by the insights and opinions of players from across the world game, past

and present, international and domestic. FICA’s Principles cover six fundamental areas and give rise to required standards and structures, as well as ambitions, that are vital for the future success of cricket. FICA’s Principles are fair, reasonable and aspirational. They will guide FICA’s future activity and they will act as a set of benchmarks to which FICA will seek to hold the game and its administrators accountable. “The players are the game. Their collective global voice can and will contribute to the game’s future direction. FICA , guided by its Principles, represents that global voice, and will work on behalf of all professional players around the world to ensure that voice is heard and that cricket is a vibrant, successful, well structured and well run global sport.”

1.REPRESENTATION & VOICE

All professional cricketers have the right to collective representation at both ICC and country board levels and to have their individual rights protected by fair process and the representative of their choice. All professional cricketers should have a voice and be able to contribute to decision-making in the game on matters that fundamentally or materially affect their professional working environment or terms of employment. Where this is not respected,

the players retain the right to take appropriate collective action.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

1.1 All players should be able to join and be represented by a well-resourced and accountable players’ association should they choose to do so

1.2 All genuinely representative players’ associations should be formally recognised by relevant country boards

1.3 Every professional player has the right to collectively bargained terms and conditions of employment

1.4 The players’ associations’ relationship with its country board should be governed by a fair agreement that, as a minimum, includes those matters on which the association shall be consulted and on which negotiation will take place

1.5 All players’ associations that comply with FICA’s minimum standards should be able to join FICA

1.6 FICA should continue to be formally recognised as the players’ representative at international level by the ICC and engaged appropriately by the ICC on player issues

1.7 There should be at least two democratically elected current player representatives on the ICC Cricket Committee who are capable of

representing the players’ views

1.8 FICA should attend at the ICC Chief Executives Committee and be consulted on all relevant ICC event arrangements

1.9 FICA should have the right to present to and engage with the ICC at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum on matters that impact on professional players around the world

2. INTEGRITY

All stakeholders, employees and players in the game must act with integrity, upholding the values and traditions of cricket. External threats from doping, corruption and match-fixingmust be combated professionally and appropriately. The defence against threats must

focus on engaging, educating and empowering all stakeholders including the players.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

2.1. A well-resourced, fully independent Anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU), operating centrally and coordinating operations in all ICC Full Member nations

2.2. A joint approach to anti-corruption between FICA and ACSU and between players’ associations and anti-corruption units of country boards

2.3. Proportionate, reasonable and effective anti-corruption regulations and measures agreed in consultation with the stakeholders to whom they apply, and applicable to players and officials alike

2.4. A meaningful, externally-monitored and enforced Code of Conduct and Ethics for all administrators and officials at ICC and domestic board level

2.5. A comprehensive, well-resourced and world-class global education programme developed with and for all professional cricketers, and other participants in all countries, on issues that affect the integrity of the game

2.6. An effective, intelligence-based anti-doping programme with an appropriate and agreed whereabouts and testing regime agreed with the players

2.7. A benchmarking of supporters trust in the integrity of cricket with the aim of continuing to improve the public’s perception of the game

2.8. Clear and published processes and criteria for the awarding of event hosting rights to any venue or country agreed in consultation with participants’ representatives

2.9. Clear and published processes and criteria for the awarding of commercial contracts for the provision of goods or services to the game

2.10. Support and rehabilitation of players who have been offenders but have admitted to their wrongdoings, cooperated with authorities and sought to make amends by assisting both the fight against corruption and the education of young players.

3. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Every professional cricketer has the right to pursue a career based on merit and free from any discrimination or harassment. Every professional cricketer has the right to work under the protection of the law in just and favourable conditions of work, including a safe and healthy working environment. Every professional cricketer has the right to a fair wage, fair workload, rest and leisure, privacy, workplace representation and the protection of a secure and easily enforceable contract. Every professional cricketer has the right not to be dismissed or suspended for arbitrary or capricious reasons. Every professional cricketer should have access to a fair dispute resolution process. A player should not be subject to any penalty which is disproportionate or without just cause. Every professional cricketer has the right to have his or her personal attributes (including name, image, likeness, signature, voice and biographical information) protected and his or her attributes and commercial performances should only be exploited with his or her consent.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

3.1. Professional cricketers, as with other professional athletes are entitled to employee rights

3.2. Collectively bargained standard contracts of employment for all professional cricketers

3.3. Player Remuneration appropriate and fairly calculated in recognition of the player’s central role in the game’s income generation

3.4. Fair and appropriate payment to players in respect of exploitation of their player attributesand commercial performances.

3.5. Collectively bargained regulations regarding player movement between employers that balances the reasonable need for cricket priority and consistency against the right to freedom of player movement

3.6. Formal systems of objective player appraisals aimed at keeping a player reasonably informed

of the team’s future expectations and his future employment prospects in good time for him

to make reasoned and timely decisions abouthis professional future

3.7. Independent disciplinary panels, agreed with player representatives, to determine any charges brought under agreed, reasonable and proportionate Codes of Conduct

3.8 Comprehensive and trustworthy grievance procedures and reporting provisions so players can safely raise concerns through appropriate and trusted channels

3.9. Appropriate confidentiality over private player personal data and sanctions for breaches of confidentiality

3. 10.Strict confidentiality over reporting of information by players aimed at assisting the fight against corruption and sanctions for breaches of confidentiality

3. 11Independent security advice and threat assessment leading to an agreed minimum level of team and individual security tailored for each match, series or event

3. 12.An agreed minimum level of travel and accommodation provision commensurate with the resources of the employer and prestige of the match, tour or event.

4.WELFARE, EDUCATION AND CAREER TRANSITION

Cricket should provide a working environment and resources that protect a cricketer’s welfare, health and safety, and his or her physical, mental and social wellbeing as well as promoting personal growth and sporting excellence. All professional cricketers are entitled to expert treatment and support, when injured or incapacitated in any way, funded by the resources of the employer and the sport. All professional cricketers have the right to an education, to prepare to transition out of the game and to pursue life beyond cricket. The game should formerly recognise a responsibility to its professional players and assist in funding appropriate programmes for both whilst they are playing and to properly prepare them for their career transition.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

4.1 Every professional cricket event and venue should adhere to an agreed minimum level of health and safety standards including both on and off field

4.2 Every professional player should have access to qualified sports science and medical support staff to ensure his or her optimum physical wellbeing

4.3Every professional player should have access to an adequate response to any reasonably foreseeable medical emergency while playing, training and touring

4.4All professional players should be insured by their employer to an agreed minimum level

against temporary or permanent disablement

4.5 Every player should be entitled to an agreed reasonable minimum time away from cricket every year

4.6 Every player’s dependants should have the reassurance of an agreed minimum level of death

in service cover provided by the player’s employer

4.7.FICA seeks to partner with the ICC and cricket’s administrators to undertake research

into relevant player injury, health and wellbeing issues, and to ensure that appropriate actionis taken in response to the findings of such research

4.8. Every player should have access to confidential and professional counselling for his professional and personal mental health needs

4.9. Every player should be given a comprehensive education on the rules and regulations of the game, delivered in partnership with the local player association or FICA including, in particular, anti-doping and anti-corruption education.

4.10. Every professional player should have access to a Personal Development Officer to assist in welfare, personal development and career transition

4. 11.Every player should have access to opportunities to further his education in any field to improve his prospects for success in life after professional cricket.

5. INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STRUCTURE

International cricket should be structured to deliver the best sporting competition with the best players available to play for their national sides when selected. The structure should provide a clear narrative to the cricket public, appropriate playing opportunities for all teams and a clear progress pathway for developing countries. The international cricket structure should not be governed entirely by short-term financial considerations and must take into account the volume and context of cricket, player workload and a balance of the formats of the game.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

5.1. A balanced and consistent Future Tours Programme, scheduled around context and providing fair playing opportunities for all nations

5.2 Clear context for international cricket that transcends bilateral competition and gives meaning and prestige to every match due to the impact that match has on qualification for ICC Events,global ranking, or significant financial reward

5.3. A clear pathway and meaningful, meritocratic opportunity for developing nations to compete in all formats of the game

5.4, Ongoing consultation with the players, including via FICA, on the international playing structure of the game and any proposed fundamental changes to the structure

5.5, Clarity and consistency in the recognition of current and future tournaments, leagues and competitions in any format for any professional cricketer that are good for the game, the players and the spectators

5.6. Clarity and consistency in the position within the annual international cricketing calendar for

all current and future recognised, leagues and competitions, especially domestic T20 leagues, that feature international players from other countries

5.7. Objectively researched maximum limits on player workload and volume of cricket agreed with FICA and properly recognised in the Future Tours Programme

5.8. Globally consistent and objectively determined playing conditions, including the use of the best available technology, applied in matches between

all opponents

5.9 .Ongoing consultation with the players, including via FICA, on the playing conditions of the international game and any proposed changes to those conditions

5.10.Adherence to the principle that participant safety and security is paramount in the decisions and processes relating to scheduling and hosting of events and matches

5.11. Every cricket event should be subject to appropriate and expert safety and security assessments and to the implementation of proportionate security measures

6. GOOD GOVERNANCE

Cricket should be administered in line with universally accepted principles of good governance, which not only lead to sporting and commercial success but which are ethical, transparent, and accountable; free from corruption and mismanagement, as well as in the long-term interests of the global game and all its stakeholders, including the players.

AMBITIONS FOR THE GAME

6.1. FICA is committed to democratic principles with each member players’ association having an equal vote

6.2. High quality, innovative and strategic leadership of the game at all levels

6.3. Published Key Performance Indicators against which the performance of the game’s leadership can be measured

6.4. Clear protocols and process for dealing ffectively with complaints about the game’s governance or individuals involved in the game’s governance

6.5. Balanced and skills-based boards and committees at ICC and country board level, including independent directors with democratic, equal voting rights for all

6.6. Clear and transparent structures, decision-making processes and financial reporting by the ICC boards and country boards

6.7. Meaningful representation for the game’s stakeholders, including the players, at country and ICC level in all relevant decision-making processes

6.8. A considered, meaningful and published global development strategy for the game with criteria for financial distribution based on performance