Tag international cricket

Manchester: They may have each had some slip-ups along the way, but it is perhaps no surprise that cricket’s three wealthiest nations — England, India and Australia — are in the semi-finals of the World Cup. The tournament, which will generate some £400 million ($500 million) in broadcast revenues alone, is key in funding the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) work in developing the sport. Yet most of the money still finds its way to cricket’s richest countries. In the 2016-23 broadcasting cycle, of which the 2019 and 2023 World Cup are the key events, some 93 ‘associate’ or ‘affiliate’ cricket nations stand to receive £175 million ($218 million) from the ICC, whereas India will get £320 million ($398 million) alone. While the ‘Big Three’ are able to strike lucrative domestic broadcasting deals as well, teams based in poorer local economies such as South Africa and the West Indies are struggling to compete. They face the constant threat of players quitting international cricket to pursue more lucrative careers in one of the numerous Twenty20 franchise competitions that have sprung up following the huge success of the Indian Premier League. When promising South Africa fast bowler Duanne…