Hugo's Substack

The IPL Contenders are Determined Months Before the Final: One Metric Reveals it all

Hugo Pierce — Sun, 31 May 2026 00:35:29 GMT

Although on the surface T20 cricket is seen as a one sided contest which favours batting, the true reality is far more complex. In a landscape marked by abbundant aid for batters through short boundaries, flat pitches and strict wide perimeters, early innings bowling performances are proven to correlate to the success of cricket teams. In 2025, the Royal Challengers Bangalore had the highest number of wickets per power play during the regular season. They took 26 wickets from 14 games at an average of 1.8 wickets per power play. Additionally, they placed second in the competition for runs conceded in the first 6 overs at 740 runs in 14 games, an average of 52.85 runs. Consequently, their high power play wicket tally coupled with remarkably low runs conceded in the first six overs of their bowling innings acted as a major factor in their 2025 IPL premiership. The significant impact of early over bowling in T20 cricket can be reinforced through wicketless teams in the power play winning over 76% of their matches in the 2025 IPL season.

The influence of this statistic has proven to recur in T20 tournaments globally through the champions of the BBL, the Perth Scorchers recording the best economy rate of 7.57 runs per over in the power play for BBL 15. Furthermore, Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League recorded the best economy rate in the power play of 7.52 runs per over. Subsequently, this early pressure through suffocating bowling contributed to Islamabad United and the Perth Scorchers winning their competitions. This crucial metric demonstrates the under-recognised significance of bowlers in influenicng T20 matches. Although batters are often herald as ‘dominant’ in the T20 format, bowling performances in power play overs have been proven to translate to the success of teams. In T20 cricket, big hitters can entertain, but the first six overs with the ball shape the result.

The power play overs present the ultimate battlefield in T20 cricket where matches are won. In the 2026 IPL season, after eight matches, the Rajasthan Royals recorded the highest number of wickets in the power play at 16 dismissals. Similarly, they conceded the second lowest average runs per power play at 58.625. This was lead by the Gujarat titans who had the lowest economy at 8.5625 runs per over in the power play. However, after eleven matches, the Sunrises Hyderabad recorded the highest number of wickets in the power play at 20 dismissals with the Rajasthan Royals recording 17 power play wickets after ten matches. This underscores the importance of this metric in forecasting the teams who will succeed in T20 tournaments.

By following the power play statistics weeks before the finals, it is clear that the Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans and Sunrises Hyderabad have provided themselves with the platform to all finish within the top 4 positions on the table. Cementing the fact that power-play bowling performances provide teams the best chance to win white ball tournaments. In 2025, RCB and Perth scorchers won their respective tournaments with the best power-play bowling statistics. In 2024, Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League recorded the best economy rate. Now, in 2026, the Gujarat titans who had the lowest economy at 8.5625 runs per over in the power play after 8 matches could continue this trend.

Subscribe now

Test Match Cricket is Thriving Whilst T20 is Losing its Appeal

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:39:09 GMT

During a time marked by a franchise dominated sporting landscape, with novelty leagues depriving the average spectator of genuine entertainment, First Class Cricket operates at a unique selling point. In a world full of artificial contests, teams leveraged by international investment and leagues lacking excitement; Test and 4-day cricket are shining lights in the sporting realm. Proving that the red ball format remains the ultimate peak of the sport. Consistently offering a narrative of true emotion and extreme unpredictability.

In a time of fast paced sporting fixtures tailored to satisfy the changing demands of spectators who seek instant gratification, red ball cricket stands as the outlier. The uncomprimised pure format which effortlessly captivates an increasing spectator presence.

The contest between bat and ball, a strategic chess match, where every session writes a different chapter in the uncertain narrative of a test. Test Matches, comprised of just two teams, have continuously reported higher viewership numbers than major sporting finals. Proving that this format is far from a relic of the past, but a thriving format which engages the world.

Last year’s Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between Australia and India reached over 200 million people and saw 52 billion minutes of total watch time.

In 2025, the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa reached over 225 million. The WTC final of 2023 reaching over 125 million, and the WTC final of 2021 reaching a global audience of over 177 million. With the 2025 Anderson Tendulkar series between England and India watched by 170 million people.

With some county teams engaging over 20,000 members and over 30 million people watching the tournament across the summer, it is a timeless, uncompromised tournament which still engages cricket fans globally. It is a sophisticated gathering for the community, celebrating their local county whilst honouring the purity of first class cricket.

Leave a comment

Footage from the oval demonstrated hundreds on the playing field during the lunch break. This doesn’t just emphasise a continuing tradition but it underscores the excitement by the surrey crowd to attend red ball matches. Perfectly encapsulating the wider eagerness for first class cricket in the world, acting as a comforting reminder in the thriving disposition of the format.

This support for the first class format can be reinforced with the financial reports of the major county clubs. In 2024, Surrey County Cricket Club’s total turnover was £65.4 million, Lancashire CCC had a turnover of £34.1 million, and Warwickshire CCC’s income was £25.1 million.

Comparatively, for the London derby in the Vitality T20 blast a few days ago between Middlesex and Surrey, a crowd of only 7,000 was recorded. This fixture held at lords has often sold tickets like it’s going out of fashion. Similarly, this season in the IPL, average TV viewership has fallen by nearly 26 per cent compared to previous seasons, according to reports from Broadcasting Audience Research Council India and TAM Sports statistics. The figures show average match audiences for TV dropping from around 10.6 million to 7.84 million. TV advertising has also fallen, with the number of brands advertising down by 31 per cent compared to last season.

This trend of cricket fans supporting red ball cricket and neglecting the short formats have began to be supported by players alike. Last month, Ben Duckett withdrew from his IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals to concentrate on his red ball game by playing in the county championship. Additionally, Australian captain Pat Cummins and vice captain Travis Head rejected contract offers worth AU$10 Million per year to quit international cricket and play exclusively on a circuit for their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise ownership groups. Similarly, many bowlers have recently missed or delayed their participation in the IPL to prioritise Test match fitness and workload management such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kasigo Rabada, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs. Moreover, in March 2025, Harry Brook pulled out of his £590,000 contract with Delhi Capitals for the second year in a row to focus on his red ball preparation. Brook stated that playing for his country remains his “priority and focus” and that the Ashes is still the “pinnacle” for him. Consequently, pulling out after being bought at auction for non-medical reasons resulted in him recieving an automatic two-year ban from the IPL. These examples demonstrate the continuing commitment to red ball cricket evident in a world suffocated by the T20 format. This can be reinforced by Virat Kohli, Indian cricket icon, describing test cricket as, “the most beautiful format of the game”. Furthermore, in 2024, 48% of players recommended that test was the most important format with T20 at 30%.

The enduring battle of resilience and patience provides Test Match Cricket with a unique selling point and enhanced engagement in a world which is overcame by fast paced, short form entertainment. Extended battles of batting, bowling and mental integrity effortlessly continue to captivate the sporting world, proving the timeless nature of Test Match Cricket.

Subscribe now

The 74% Secret: The Hidden Technique Behind Cricket’s Fastest Bowlers

Hugo Pierce — Sat, 16 May 2026 07:39:01 GMT

In professional and first-class cricket alone, there are likely between 500 to 1,000 active fast and medium-fast bowlers worldwide when accounting for major Test-playing nations, Associate nations, and domestic T20 franchises. Of that, there are roughly 50 to 80 active professional cricketers in the world who can consistently bowl at a speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) or higher. For a sport which engages over 2.5 billion people globally, only a select group of humans can bowl at the top speeds. Among this exclusive club of proffesional cricketers is Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alzarri Joseph, Gerald Coetzee, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Anrich Nortje, Lockie Ferguson and Haris Rauf. Whilst all of these bowlers vary in run-up lengths, height, and weight, they share the excact same characteristics in their bowling techniques, seperating themselves above the rest.

In 2010, a study was conducted by Peter John Worthington at the Loughborough University, named 'A biomechanical analysis of fast bowling in cricket'. In this 164 page report, kinematic data was collected for 20 elite male fast bowlers with 11 parameters calculated, describing the elements of fast bowling techniques that correlate to ball release speed. Four crucial characteristics of a bowlers technique were identified as having the highest correlation to the ball release pace, explaining 74% of the observed variation in bowling speed.

In the study, a significant correlation was observed between ball release speed and a more extended front knee at both front foot contact and ball release. A front knee which extends and remains extended, during the front foot contact phase permits a more efficient transfer of kinetic energy to the ball and facilitates a higher release speed. Whilst the natural instinct is to bend your knee to suppress impact with the ground, a straight knee pushes energy forwards rather than down.

Additionally, through the research found in the report, the amount of shoulder forwards-rotation prior to ball release had a clear link with ball speed. The data suggested that the quickest bowlers are those who increase the amount of shoulder forwards-rotation they can achieve by means of a large pelvis-shoulder separation angle. This pronounced action of bending the back forward the most and moving towards the target transforms Kinetic energy from the run-up into rotational energy through the crease; increasing the pace of the ball.

Furthermore, in the study, a significant correlation was observed between run-up speed and ball release speed. This infers that those bowlers with a quicker run-up have more momentum which can potentially be converted into ball speed.

The data from the report also recognised that ball release speed was associated with both the shoulder angle at ball release and the release height. This demonstrates that the fastest bowlers' arms were further back and higher at ball release. Acknowledging the importance for fast bowlers to delay their bowling arm after the back is extended down towards the target to 'catapult' the ball.

The Four Crucial Metrics

1. Quick run-up

2. Straight front leg at release

3. High upper body flexion

4. Delayed arm

Though the evidence provided from the report, it is clear that the fastest bowlers align to four major characteristics in their technique. They have a quicker run-up and maintain a straighter knee on front foot contact. The fastest bowlers were also observed to exhibit larger amounts of upper trunk flexion before releasing the ball which was delayed by their bowling arm.

Subscribe now

McCullum's England Is Ignoring County Cricket

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 12 May 2026 09:53:52 GMT

Brendon McCullum will not be in England until the 24th of May, despite the First Test against New Zealand starting on the 4th of June. Missing 54 county championship matches.

For a man paid a reported salary of £2 million a year to coach the English side with talent identification being a major factor in his job description, his absense is difficult to ignore. Instead of going around the grounds to catch the performances of Emilio Gay, Ben McKinney, James Rew, Asa Tribe, Ollie Robinson, Ben Duckett or Sonny Baker, he is currently in New Zealand where the difference in time zones is 11 hours.

This criticism over Brendon McCullum watching from abroad isn't just coming from supporters, but from various County Coaches. Gareth Batty, Surrey's head coach defined the County Championship as "the best breeding ground in the world" and insisted that the pathway between county cricket and the England team has become “misted over”. Similarly, Sussex head coach, Paul Farbrace criticized the disconnection between the England management and the domestic game by reccomending that, McCullum has “no interest” in the county game.

These concerns have been further reinforced by Darren Lehmann, former Australian mens coach and current Northamptonshire County coach, stating to the press during the Ashes,

"I've never spoken to a selector, I've never seen a selector, and I'm a County coach."

Exposing the lack of talent hunting in English Cricket, profoundly influencing the national sides results. In this same interview with the BBC, Lehman responded to the claim which echoed throughout the media at the time, ‘that England were void of a frontline spinner’. He disputed this by recognising that England had abbundant depth but skilful players were being ignored, categorising it as a “selection issue”. Claiming that Dawson, Leech and Bashir were all possible picks for the English side.

“There are a few spinners there, it's just who you pick.”

Whilst the English domestic competition is labelled as a more proffesional and significant league than the Australian Sheffield Shield competition, the selection tactics utilised by English Cricket make the domestic tournament somewhat counter-intuitive, possibly contributing to their 4-1 Ashes defeat. When juxtaposing Australia and England's domestic first class tournaments, it becomes clear that English Cricket's development roots are abundant when compared to Australia's. However, it's Scouting network and recruitment programs for the national side is far inferior.

In 2024, Surrey County Cricket Club's total turnover was £65.4 million, Lancashire CCC had a turnover of £34.1 million, and Warwickshire CCC's income was £25.1 million. If it wasn't for the extremely high standard, an average Sheffield Shield match could be confused with a local first grade club game when judging the crowds. Comparitively, Surrey CCC engages over 20,000 members and recieved a crowd of 80,484 last season. Over 30 million people watched the domestic tournament across the summer. England's domestic cricket county network is comprised of 18 teams, whilst Australia is made up of just 6. Considering this, Australia's largest domestic cricket body, Cricket NSW, reported 68.48 million AUD (£36.43 million GBP), Western Australian Cricket earned 68.39 million AUD (£36.38 million GBP) and Cricket Victoria follwed behind, reporting a revenue of 58.37 million AUD (£31.05 million GBP).

England have all the tools and funding to generate an extremely successful side, yet their selection program is restricting them. As recognised by various County Head Coaches, Brendon McCullum has a lack of interest in the County program and could possibly be neglecting talent.

England have a large selection pool, high funding, remarkable infrastructure and strong engagement which could be used to generate an extremely successful side, yet their selection program is restricting them. Whilst the County Championship is presented as the foundation to the Test team, the coaching staff in England are actively neglecting it. England's problem isn't the lack of talent, it is the lack of talent acknowledgement by coaches.

Subscribe now

The ICC Is Failing Associate Cricket Nations

Hugo Pierce — Sat, 09 May 2026 07:24:41 GMT

The results from the 2026 T20 world cup underscored an altering cricket landscape which is marked by emerging nations competing with the dominant world cricketing forces.
Zimbabwe defeated Australia and Sri Lanka. Italy proved victorious over Nepal, marking just as many wins for their nations cricket side as their football team in World Cup Tournaments since 2006. Similarly, despite their minor funding, in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Netherlands beat the World Test Champions, South Africa aswell as the major cricket force, Bangladesh and still continued to scare major nations in the last T20 tournament.

Eoin Morgan stated on Sky Sports Cricket, "The advantage of playing in a 20 team world cup is it creates oppurtunity for teams like Scotland, USA, Nepal, Namibia, Canada to stake their claim as to why they need to be respected and want more from the ICC."
Only 11.2 per cent of funding from the annual pool is dustributed amongst the 96 associate nations in the ICC. This equals roughly $67M ($700,000 each). Comparitively, The BCCI (India's Cricket Board), takes 38.5 percent ($231m a year), the largest share of any member. This figure is followed by England who recieve $41.3M and Australia who are funded $37.5M. As a result, any individual associate board recieves approximately 1/330th of what India are funded. Reinforcing the perpetuated hierarchy of World Cricket.

Top National Governing Boards by Revenue
BCCI Cricket India $2.2 – $2.5 Billion
The FA Football England $732 Million (£551m)
RFEF Spanish Football Federation €407.3M (US$480M)
ECB England Wales Cricket Board $410 Million (£319.6m)
Cricket Australia $321 Million (AUD$453.7)

Despite this funding from the ICC, Indian Cricket, English Cricket and Cricket Australia are amongst the highest national governing boards by revenue. Inferring the lack in the need for subsidisation.

When looking at the golden standard set by Fifa, per year, they distribute US$562.5M equitably across its 211 playing nations. Fascillitating for the recognition and expansion of the sport worldwide. Effectively contributing to all nations competitively performing with the world.

In contrast, the ICC holds an annual pool of almost $40M more than Fifa, worth $600M. Nevertheless, 88.81% of these funds are distributed across just the 12 full members of the ICC, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe worth up to $532.86M. Through this, the substantial subsidies injected from the ICC into this exclusive circle of the 12 test playing nations is responsible for the inequality among Cricket nations, significantly reducing the expansion of this sport.

Subscribe now

Although Cricket engages 3.5 billion people worldwide; the ICC could've provided better models to expand the game further throughout this planet. Franchise cricket is one of the forces beginning to narrow the gap, providing resistance against the perpetuation of the dominant monopolies in world cricket. Nepal, USA and the UAE are all nations with their own domestic T20 leagues. Additionally, The European T20 Premier League which is set to launch in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands will provide the perfect oppurtunity for more associate nations to adequately compete with the dominant forces of cricket. As Eoin Morgan inferred, "It is a great story, when the minnows are pushing the mainstays in the game."

Leave a comment

It is irrefutable that the budgets of the ICC are perpetuating the dominance of the major Cricket forces whilst neglecting the associates. By funding substantially more for the top nations which are already among the richest boards in the world of sport, the International Cricket Council is rejecting the chance for smaller countries to grow. Nations like the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, Namibia, USA, Oman, and Canada are stripped of growth due to the ICC’S inequitable distribution of funds.

Is T20 Cricket Really Dominated by Batters?

Hugo Pierce — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:42 GMT

The powerplay overs present the ultimate battlefield in T20 cricket where matches are won. In this IPL season, after eleven matches, the Sunrises Hyderabad have recorded the highest number of wickets in the power play at 20 dismissals with the Rajasthan Royals recording 17 power play wickets after ten matches and the Lucknow Super Giants picking up 15 dismissals through nine games.

Are Cricketers Still Committed to Test Cricket?

Hugo Pierce — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:17:46 GMT

Averaging 43.27 runs in tests, Jacob Bethell could prove to be a significant figure in England’s upcoming test summer against New Zealand and Pakistan. He scored 154 runs batting at three at the SCG in the final test of the Ashes, acting as one of the few highlights from Englands tour down under, now he is in India on contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore but has not yet played a game in the 2026 season. Alistair Cook, former opening batsman and captain of England commented on his situation by stating on the Stick to Cricket Podcast that,”He [Jacob Bethell] is sitting on his arse at the IPL not doing anything. Ideally he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England.” In response to this statement, Jacob Bethell spoke to Sky Sports Cricket, emphasising that, “You might not get the amount of time in the middle as [you would in] the County Championship and playing four rounds of that, but I think in terms of the ability to actually just continue doing what you want to do when there are loads of eyes on you, [being in India] is really important for me personally going forwards. I firmly believe that this is the thing for me to be doing right now.” Kevin Pietersen further weighed in by supporting Jacob in a post, stating, “Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it's like to be in the IPL. What's it's like to always be around the best players in the world. So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn't matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even though you're not playing, you're learning and will be a way better player.” This scenario perfectly underscores the dilemma which cricket players face in the modern landscape. Prioritising T20 tournaments or prioritising preparation for test cricket.

Last month, Ben Duckett withdrew from his IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals to concentrate on his red ball game. This proved effective as he has alleviated selection pressure by scoring double half centuries against Warwickshire, lifting his average for this season of the County Championship to 51.60. Additionally, Australian captain Pat Cummins and vice captain Travis Head rejected contract offers worth AU$10 Million per year to quit international cricket and play exclusively on a circuit for their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise ownership groups. Similarly, many bowlers have recently missed or delayed their participation in the IPL to prioritise Test match fitness and workload management such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kasigo Rabada, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs. Moreover, in March 2025, Harry Brook pulled out of his £590,000 contract with Delhi Capitals for the second year in a row to focus on his red ball preparation. Brook stated that playing for his country remains his "priority and focus" and that the Ashes is still the "pinnacle" for him. Consequently, pulling out after being bought at auction for non-medical reasons resulted in him recieving an automatic two-year ban from the IPL. These examples demonstrate the continuing commitment to red ball cricket evident in a world suffocated by the T20 format. This can be reinforced by Virat Kohli, Indian cricket icon, describing test cricket as, "the most beautiful format of the game". Furthermore, in 2024, 48% of players reccomended that test was the most important format with T20 at 30%.

Conversely, various examples of Cricketers have succumb to the bright lights and big contracts of T20 cricket, neglecting their red ball careers. The large crowds, impressive lighting displays and pure cinema by world class cricket heroes prove why the IPL is the golden standard of domestic cricket. The modern strokeplaying marked by extreme innovation and unoquevicol aggression draw cheers as wickets suppress them. High paid international stars amalgamate to create unthinkably powerful teams. Test rivals become strong partners. Billions watch around the world brewing an irreplaceable atmosphere, transforming regular season matches into major sporting events. Wickets fall rapidly as runs are scored at an extreme rate. Totals commonly surpass 200 runs and maidens are anomalies. In May 2026, Sunil Narine made history as the first overseas player to claim 200 IPL wickets. In November 2023, Narine announced his retirement from all West Indies duties to play in the international T20 circuit in the Indian Premier League, SA20, Pakistan Super League, Big Bash League, The Hundred, MLC, ILT20, and the Carribean Premier League.

In a time of short format cricket fixtures tailored to satisfy the changing demands of spectators who seek instant gratification, the red ball format still remains highly respected by players. The uncomprimised pure format which effortlessly captivates major stars who choose test legacy and national pride over the financial support aligned with T20 cricket.

Subscribe now

The Greatest Cricket Photos; Inside The Pavillion's Gallery of Cricket

Hugo Pierce — Sun, 03 May 2026 00:45:15 GMT

Sheffield Shield Final, Brad Hodge Chasing a Ball Late on Day 3, 2008 taken by Phil Hillyard

Monk Cricket Match Taken by Steve Waugh, 2020

1996 Cricket World Cup Ricky Ponting With a Local Taken by Trent Parke

Sunil Gavaskar and Ian Bothom Exchanging Comics on the 1981/82 England tour of India

Children Playing Cricket in 1944 London Damaged by the Blitz

Australian Soldiers Playing Cricket on the Gallipoli Peninsular in 1915

Painters on the Gasholder at the Oval Watching the England versus New Zealand Test match in 1931

Hong Kong Cricket Match in 1957

Maasai Cricket Warriors in the Laikipia Region of Kenya in 2017

Sand Dune Cricket in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India, Taken by Steve Waugh in 2020

Subscribe now

English bowler Harold Larwood Bowling a Bouncer in the Bodyline Ashes series of 1932-33

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final at the MCG Between Australia and India

Don Bradmans Final Test Innings the The Oval in London, 1948, Scoring a Duck

Merv Hughes Stretching with the Crowd at the MCG in 1989

Ben Stokes Headingley Performance in the 2019 Ashes

England and India Fifth Test in Dharmashala, 2024

England and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, 2013

Sachin Tendulkar walking down the stairs at Wankhede Stadium for the last time during his final Test match, 2013

Day 5, Final Session, Border Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG, 2024

Leave a comment

Aiden Markram Celebrating the 2025 World Test Championship Final Victory by Drinking a Beer From a Fan in the Crowd

Sportsmanship Shown by Andrew Flintoff to Brett Lee after England beat Australia by Two Runs in the Second Test Match of the 2005 Ashes at Edgbaston

India 2024 T20 World Cup Victory Parade in Mumbai

Steve Smith Scoring a Century in Adelaide and Paying Tribute to Phillip Hughes in 2014, the Number 408 Representing Phillip's Test Cap Number

Shane Warne on Boxing Day 2006 at the MCG after his 700th Test Wicket

2019 ODI World Cup Final at Lords Between England and New Zealand

The Cricket Gold Rush; How Private Investment is Transforming the Game

Hugo Pierce — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:28:28 GMT

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the second-richest sports league in the world by per-match value, after the NFL. With an estimated competition value of US$18.5 billion, this 10 team T20 style cricket competition is one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world. During the opening weekend of the tournament last season, there was a recorded viewership of 1.37 billion people with a peak of 340 million concurrent viewers and 21,860 million minutes watched. The grand final of the tournament in 2025 which saw the Royal Challengers Bangalore win their first IPL title was watched by 169 million tv viewers. That is 41 million more than the superbowl of 2025 (The most watched superbowl of all time). Comparitively, the final reached 94 million more people than the whole 7 game NBA final series.

In 2023, the league sold its media rights for the next four seasons for US$6.4 billion to Viacom18 and Star Sports. This translates to a cost of US$15.11M per match. Comparitively, the value of the media rights for the English Premier League are US$11.13M per game, whilst the NFL is at US$35.07M per match. Although the league is only 17 years old, per match media rights cost US$3.77m more than the largest football league in the world, The English Premier League (EPL).

India is rapidly ascending to become the world's third-largest economy, with its GDP reaching approximately $4.12 trillion. By 2030 it is expected to trail behind only the US and China, with GDP expected to hit $7.3 trillion. This increased domestic income in India's economy results in higher spending in the circular flow model with higher aggregate demand by society. Subsequently, trickled down economics causes the IPL teams to generate higher revenue through more expensive media rights, higher advertisement costs and higher consumption by fans. The league's value has already increased by over 433% since its inception and is continuing with this extreme growth. Consequently, investment into the tournament is seen as a promising oppurtunity for private equity firms. In 2026, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were aquired for US$1.78 billion by a consortium of various major companies including Blackstone, Aditya Birla Group and The Times of India Group. Similarly, the Rajasthan Royals were bought for US$1.63 billion by various major entrepreneurs. Early investors in the Rajastan Royals since 2008 yielding a return on investment of 92x.

In the contemporary cricket landscape, investment into teams isn't just performed by private equity firms and major entrepreneurs, but it has been undertaken by other T20 clubs. As of early 2026, almost 20 teams are named with the influence of the IPL franchises. Mumbai Indians have 4 expansion clubs worldwide. MI Cape Town in South Africa, MI Emirates in the UAE, MI New York in the USA and MI London in the UK. Additionally, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) influenced 3 expansion clubs worldwide through the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Carribbean Premier League, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the UAE's ILT20 and the LA Night Riders in the MLC in the USA. Dehli Capitals have the Pretoria Capitals and the Dubai Capitals. The Chennai Super Kings observe the Joburg Super Kings in South Africa and the Texas Super Kings in America. Rajistan Royals nurtured the Paarl Royals and the Barbados Royals whilst Sunrisers Hyderabad operated the expansion of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and the Sunrisers Leeds. Lucknow Super Giants and the Punjab Kings also have one expansion team each with Durban's Super Giants and the Saint Lucia Kings.

In addition, the European T20 Premier League, a 6 team competition beginning in 2026 will substantially influence the landscape of European Cricket. Steve Waugh is amongst the names of investors buying into the Dutch team, the Amsterdam Flames. In his team, players will include Steve Smith, Tim David and Mitch Marsh. Under the deal, the Flames Franchise is worth about $US20 million. Additionally, the side in Edinburgh will be known as the Castle Rockers and owned by various investors based in New Zealand. Ex-Black Caps internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum are the predominant financial supporters for this team. Furthermore, Glenn Maxwell, the exciting Australian batsman who has shaped his long career on an unorthodox approach and incredible flare has been announced as both an owner and the captain for the Belfast team, the Irish Wolves with the rights for the Belfast club reportedly costing US$15m. Similarly, South African legends Jonty Rhodes, Faf Duplessis and Heinrich Klaasen have joined forces as co-owners of the Rotterdam franchise.

Leave a comment

On the contrary, the Big Bash League in Australia stands as an outlier, not conforming to the malignant growth of the privitisation of Cricket. Queensland Cricket who control the Brisbane Heat and NSW Cricket who manage the Sydeny Sixers and Sydeny Thunder have joined together in rejecting Cricket Australia's $600M proposal to privatise Big Bash teams.

Nonetheless, the extreme lengths of contemporary investments in franchise cricket tournaments can be encapsulated through English footballer Jude Bellingham purchasing stake in the Hundred side, the Birmingham Pheonix. In an interview, Bellingham stated that if he could be an athlete from another sport for a day, he would choose to swap with England's Test Captain, Ben Stokes.

Due to the significance of T20 tournaments globally, billions have been spent in Cricket aquisitions in the past year. Across the 2025 IPL season, a recorded 1.19 billion fans tuned in. The CPL T20 tournament in the Carribean alledgedly recorded 1.17 billion viewers across 2025. The ILT20 tournament in the UAE has recorded well above 350 million and the BBL saw almost 12 million. With this high viewership, potential for extreme revenue growth is present, attracting private equity firms, wealthy entrepreneurs and major sportspeople to invest in teams worldwide.

Subscribe now

England’s Opening Dilemma

Hugo Pierce — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:14:49 GMT

As headlines are made critiquing the performances of test prospects and the days become longer, the English Cricket Season has inevitably returned. The announcement of the English Test squad doesn’t just engage fans in the UK, but it captures the attention of Cricket fans globally. Now, with a major English summer approaching, conversations around the opening pair are being had.

Currently opening for Kent in the county championship, the 28 year opener has been named in Englands test team since 2022. However, due to his recent form, his position may be in jeopardy, averaging 19.66 runs in this season of the 2nd division of the domestic competition. In July of 2024, Zac Crawley was ranked 17th in the world for men’s test batters, famously producing a powerful cover drive against Mitch Starc in the first ball of the home ashes, setting the tone for Englands ‘Bazball’ game style. However due to his recent decline in form, various batters are now knocking on the door for his opening position.

This 26 year old played for Italy in the European region T20 cup last year, reporting the highest strike rate in the tournament with 213.33. Now, English Selectors have his name circled in their notebook for a test call-up. For this season of the County Championship, Emilio Gay has an average of 86 with a high score of 159* playing for Durham in the second division. Representing the England Lions touring side at the end of last year, he produced scores of 56*, 78, 32, and 1 in Australian conditions with an average of 55.67. Only months ago, Emilio contributed to Italy reaching their first T20 World Cup. Now, he could be a chance to face the first ball against New Zealand in June. Also eligible to play for the West Indies due to his father’s lineage, Emilio could be the solution to Englands top order.

Subscribe now

With an average of 75.8 and a high score of 122 for this season in the County Championship, James Rew is proving to be a dangerous weapon in the arsenal of England. Although the 22 year old wicket keeper batsman has been batting at 4 for Summerset, he is well adept to open for England.

Currently the seventh highest run scorer in the second division of the County Championship, Ben McKinney is an aggressive opener. Scoring 244 in 272 balls against Gloucestershire with 73.77% of his runs coming from boundaries. This season, Ben McKinney is averaging 62.4 runs at a strike rate of 74.29, perfectly aligning to the ‘bazball’ game style.

Captain of the England Lions for their tour to Australia, Tom Haines presents himself as a possible opening option. Representing Sussex, this season he has scored two half centuries with an average of 31.67.

Furthermore, Glamorgan’s glory boy, Asa Tribe is currently averaging 41.8 runs with two half centuries as Haseeb Hameed averages 29.5. Whilst they could be possible options for the test side, a few major scores would be needed to strengthen their case to play with the three lions on their helmet this summer.

Although Zac Crawley’s spot might be under scrutiny, England have some promising replacements, underscoring the depth of talent around the country.

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

The Crucial T20 Statistic Which Determines Tournaments

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:10:50 GMT

Although on the surface T20 cricket is seen as a one sided contest which favours aggressive batting over relentless bowling, the true reality is far more complex. In a landscape marked by abbundant aid for batters through short boundaries, strict wide perimeters, and harsh regulations, bowling somehow remains the highest rewarded aspect in the game for the success of teams. Whilst T20 cricket is often considered the format dominated by batters, early innings bowling performances are proven to determine matches.

In 2025, The Royal Challengers Bangalore had the highest number of wickets per power play during the regular season. They took 26 wickets from 14 games at an average of 1.8 wickets per power play. Additionally, they placed second in the competition for runs conceded in the first 6 overs at 740 runs in 14 games, an average of 52.85 runs. Consequently, their high power play wicket tally coupled with remarkably low runs conceded in the first six overs of their bowling innings acted as a major factor in their 2025 IPL premiership. The significant impact of early over bowling in T20 cricket can be reinforced through wicketless teams in the power play winning over 76% of their matches in the 2025 IPL season.

In this IPL season, after eight matches, the Rajasthan Royals have recorded the highest number of wickets in the power play at 16 dismissals. Similarly, they have conceded the second lowest average runs per power play at 58.625. This is lead by the Gujarat titans who have the lowest economy at 8.5625 runs per over in the power play.

Subscribe now

This crucial metric demonstrates the under-recognised significance of bowlers in determining the results in T20 cricket. Although batters are often herald as ‘dominant’ and ‘entitled’ in the T20 format, bowling performances in power play overs directly translate to the success of T20 teams.

Why County Cricket is Thriving in Modern Society

Hugo Pierce — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:21:50 GMT

It is a strategic standoff, where every session writes a different chapter in the uncertain narrative of a match. County matches are a battle of momentum, difficult to understand who has the upper hand at any moment. The sight of a swinging dukes ball on a dark morning at Lords or a dangerous bouncer aimed at a batters head in the cauldron of the Oval is what has captivated the Cricket crowd in the UK for centuries. In a time of fast paced sporting fixtures tailored to satisfy the changing demands of spectators who seek instant gratification, tournaments such as the County Championship stand as the outlier. With some county teams engaging over 20,000 members and over 30 million people watching the tournament across the summer, it is a timeless, uncomprimised tournament which still engages cricket fans globally. It is a sophisticated gathering for the community, celebrating their local county whilst honouring the purity of first class cricket.

Footage from the oval demonstrated hundreds on the playing field during the lunch break. This doesn't just emphasise a continuing tradition but it underscores the excitement by the surrey crowd to attend red ball matches. Perfectly encapsulating the wider eagerness for first class cricket in the world, acting as a comforting reminder in the thriving disposition of the format.

This support for the first class format can be reinforced with the financial reports of the major county clubs. In 2024, Surrey County Cricket Club's total turnover was £65.4 million, Lancashire CCC had a turnover of £34.1 million, and Warwickshire CCC's income was £25.1 million.

Whilst the growth in domestic T20 tournaments were seen as a threat to the red ball format on the surface, in the case of the County Championship the true outcome has been far different. The extended battle of bat, ball and mental integrity presenting a unique selling point; engaging crowds, high viewership attendances and positive financial outcomes.

Leave a comment

The Duality of Modern Cricket - County and IPL

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:39:23 GMT

During April, two well respected cricket tournaments occur; one major in history, the other in market capitalisation. When juxtaposing the County Championship and the Indian Premier League, stark differences are evident.

Whilst the Indian Premier League is a perfect dose of entertainment in a three hour period, it does not merely compare to the prestige and sanctiny of the traditional four day tournament. Nonetheless, the large crowds, impressive lighting displays and pure cinema by world class cricket heroes prove why the IPL is the golden standard of domestic cricket. The modern strokeplaying marked by extreme innovation and unoquevicol aggression draw cheers as wickets suppress them. High paid international stars amalgamate to create unthinkably powerful teams. Test rivals become strong partners. Billions watch around the world brewing an irreplaceable atmosphere, transforming regular season matches into major sporting events. Wickets fall rapidly as runs are scored at an extreme rate. Totals commonly surpass 200 runs and maidens are anomalies.

Constant action is seen, producing a spectacle perfect for fans. Players such as MS Dohni or Virat Kohli are not just star figures respected by fans, but the reason for half of the teams supporter base. Stadiums erupt as they are announced to bat, chants reverberating around the stands. Supporters gather money for years to watch their team play once, seeing their star players in action is worth the price of admission alone. Innings breaks are marked by light shows and loud music with the theatre and fan experience being just as important as the match of cricket itself.

Conversely, the County Championship is a traditional 4 day domestic tournament with games occuring concurrently across the United Kingdom. Stadiums see a few thousand supporters daily despite the cheap costs for tickets. Semi proffesional walk-ins compete with famous international veterans as the sound of willow against the leather red cricket ball rings around the half empty grounds. Classy batsmanship is rewarded with a respectful shared clap as a balance between defense and nessarcary aggression is evident.

Acting as a strategic standoff, where every session writes a different chapter in the uncertain narrative of a match. County matches are a battle of momentum, difficult to understand who has the upper hand at any moment. The sight of a swinging dukes ball on a dark morning at Lords or a dangerous bouncer aimed at a batters head in the cauldron of the Oval is what has captivated the Cricket crowd in the UK for centuries. In a time of fast paced sporting fixtures tailored to satisfy the changing demands of spectators who seek instant gratification, tournaments such as the County Championship stand as the outlier. With some county teams engaging over 20,000 members and over 30 million people watching the tournament across the summer, it is a timeless, uncomprimised tournament which still engages cricket fans globally. It is a sophisticated gathering for the community, celebrating their local county whilst honouring the purity of first class cricket. The simplicity acting as an outlier in such a fast moving society. When you venture to a day of county cricket, you open yourself to a meditive experience, it is a chance to breathe.

In addition, the significance of county cricket can be felt when headlines grade the performances of players competing for a spot in the nations test side daily. A duck and they are ostracised, then a century and they are hailed as a solution to the nations top order batting issues. Eyes are watching, headlines are made and test spots are determined.

Although these major cricket tournaments differ significantly, both are recognised by cricket fans for their unique features. Whilst the IPL is famous for its high run rates, major signings and significant following. The County Championship acts as a timeless, pure first class competition standing as an outlier in modern domestic cricket. Reinforcing the duality evident in the contemporary cricket landscape.

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

The Hierachy of Cricket Tournaments

Hugo Pierce — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:27:15 GMT

When looking through the perspective of Tennis, Grand slams such as Wimbolden, the US Open, the Australian Open and the Roland-Garros hold the highest prestige. Following behind is the ATP/WTA tour. In Golf, the Majors are the most revered, including the Masters, the US open, the PGA championships and the Open Championship in the UK. Then, minor tournaments across Europe and the US follow behind along with LIV golf. Similarly, in Cricket, the hierachy of tournaments can be categorised.

1. The ODI World Cup

The roar of a crowd supporting their nation at an ODI world cup and the perfect duality between power and patience has provided the greatest international tournament in Cricket. The final in 2023 reached around 300 to 400 million people with 87.6 billion live viewing minutes globally. Across the whole tournament, there was an audience of approximately 1.25 billion unique viewers. This has long been the most supported world event in Cricket, giving associate nations the platform to compete globally. In 2019, 85% of proffesional cricketers ranked the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, compared to 15% who chose the T20 World Cup.

2. The Ashes

During a time marked by a franchise dominated sporting landscape, with novelty leagues depriving the average spectator of genuine entertainment, Test Match Cricket operates at a unique selling point. In a world full of artificial contests, teams leveraged by international investment and leagues lacking excitement; Test Cricket is a shining light in the sporting realm. It continues to rerite the history books, proving that the 'long 5 day grind' remains the ultimate peak of the sport. Consistently offering a narrative of true emotion, unpredictability and national pride. The Ashes is the perfect encapsulation of Test Match Cricket, this fierce rivalry doesn't just mark a major bilateral series, but the anniversary of the birth of the sport on the global stage. The first official test match occured between England and Australia in 1877, this led to the origin of the Ashes in 1882. The sight of a swinging dukes ball on a dark morning at Lords or a dangerous bouncer aimed at a batters head in the scorching Australian heat is what has captivated the Cricket world for centuries. The enduring contest between Australia and England provides the world with the greatest series in Cricket. Extended battles of batting, bowling and mental integrity effortlessly continue to captivate the sporting world, proving the timeless nature of this Test series.

3. The World Test Championship- The Final in Test Cricket

Test Matches, comprised of just two teams, have continuously reported higher viewership numbers than major sporting finals. Proving that this format is far from a relic of the past, but a thriving format which engages the world. In 2025, the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa reached over 225 million. The WTC final of 2023 reaching over 125 million, and the WTC final of 2021 reaching a global audience of over 177 million. The World Test Championship Final engages the world and has elevated the landscape of Test Cricket, providing a remarkable addition to the game.

4. T20 World Cup

T20 world cup cricket has not superseded these pre-established formats on the world stage, but has acted as a less revered addition. With T20 world cups occuring every two years, rising concerns over world cup exhaustion is evident, leading to the demands of Cricket fans being saturated. T20 cricket has provided the perfect entertainment for domestic fans who crave entertainment in a 3-hour period. With domestic tournaments recieving substantially higher viewership than its T20 world cup counterpart. Currently, the T20 world cup is a predictable tournament dominated by the monopoly, India.

5. The BGT

The 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia reached over 192.5 million people in India alone, with the realistic number summing to well over 200 million. In 2018, Virat Kohli, India's modern cricket icon, described Test cricket as "The most beautiful format of the game". Recently, the BGT has been an engaging series marked by high emotion and ferocity. Mohammed Siraj against Travis Head at twilight time at the Adelaide oval and Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli sharing an altercation infront of over 90,000 on boxing day have produced an exciting contest for Cricket fans worldwide.

Following behind these tournaments include other Billateral Test Series, such as the Anderson Tendulkar series between India and England watched by 170 million people. Additionally, the Champions Trophy, the less revered international ODI tournament played by 8 teams is watched by many. Similarly, the Asia Cup is an ODI tournament played by various major south east asian cricket nations which holds some significance. Furthermore, the IPL engages the world, across the 2025 IPL season, a recorded 1.19 billion fans tuned in.

Cricket Needs Its Champions League

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:37:19 GMT

In 2018, Virat Kohli, India's modern cricket icon, described Test cricket as, "The most beautiful format of the game". In 2024, 48% of players reccomended that test was the most important format with T20 at 30%. Whilst T20 cricket provides the perfect solution for entertainment in a short period, it does not compete in prestige with the ODI format and Test format in world tournaments. In 2019, 85% of proffesional cricketers ranked the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, compared to 15% who chose the T20 World Cup. With T20 world cups occuring every two years, rising concerns over world cup exhaustion is evident, leading to the demands of Cricket fans being saturated.

It is irrefutable that T20 Cricket has a use in the world, but it should not detract from the Test match format and the ODI World Cup. Currently, it is. T20 cricket has provided the perfect entertainment for domestic fans who crave entertainment in a 3-hour period. If you asked 10 people from cricket nations outside of India, I would assume that far more would watch their domestic T20 tournaments over the number who watch the T20 the world cup. Comparitively, it would be the opposite with the ODI world cup and Test Matches. Domestic tournaments recieve substantially higher viewership than its T20 world cup counterpart.

Across the 2025 IPL season, a recorded 1.19 billion fans tuned in. The CPL T20 tournament in the Carribean alledgedly recorded 1.17 billion viewers across 2025. The IlT20 tournament in the UAE has recorded well above 350 million and the BBL saw almost 12 million.

These remarkable statistics pose the question, should a global champions league T20 tournament replace the T20 world cup?

Domestic T20 teams from India, Australia, the Carribean, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, South Africa, USA, and the UAE competing against each other in a global club tournament. This tournament which is possibly returning in 2026 for the first time since 2014 could provide cricket fans the perfect oppurtunity for a T20 event which doesn't detract from the ODI world cup and the Test match format.

In a time where the T20 world cup is a predictable tournament dominated by the monopoly, India. The Champions League T20 provides a more exciting tournament which fosters a greater following around the world. Although the T20 world cup is just a supplementary addition to the pre-established world tournaments, the Champions League T20 tournament doesn't have an alternative.

Blockbuster Champions League Matches between Barcalona and Liverpool could now be seen in Cricket. Picture the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Perth Scorchers in a final or the Sunrisers Eastern Cape against Lahore. The exciting Trinbago Knight Riders against the Oval Invincibles. This is what the game needs.

What Is The Superior Format?

Hugo Pierce — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:43:12 GMT

The long 5-day grind which facilitates the perfect balance between bat and ball is what comes to mind when I think of international Cricket. The strategic standoff, where every session writes a different chapter in the uncertain narrative of a match. The sight of a swinging dukes ball on a dark morning at Lords or a dangerous bouncer aimed at a batters head in the scorching Australian heat is what has captivated the Cricket world for centuries.

In 2018, Virat Kohli, India's modern cricket icon, described Test cricket as "The most beautiful format of the game". In 2024, 48% of players reccomended that test was the most important format with T20 at 30%. Major test matches such as the 2025 World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia saw around 272 million viewers for a single test. Additionally the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia reached over 192.5 million people in India alone, with the realistic number summing to well over 200 million.

Similarly, the roar of a crowd supporting their nation at an ODI world cup and the perfect duality between power and patience has provided the greatest international tournament in Cricket. The final in 2023 reached around 300 to 400 million people with 87.6 billion live viewing minutes globally. Across the whole tournament, there was an audience of approximately 1.25 billion unique viewers. Additionally, the 2025 women's odi world cup achieved a total reach of 446 million in India alone. The final of this tournament was watched by 185 million people, far higher than the final of the men's t20 world cup in 2024. This remarkable viewership shattered the highest watched individual t20 world cup match by 18 million. The final of the 2021 men's T20 tournament between India and Pakistan, reaching just 167 million.

Through this, T20 world cup cricket has not superseded these pre-established formats on the world stage, but has acted as a less revered addition. In 2019, 85% of proffesional cricketers ranked the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, compared to 15% who chose the T20 World Cup. With T20 world cups occuring every two years, rising concerns over world cup exhaustion is evident, leading to the demands of Cricket fans being saturated. It is irrefutable that T20 Cricket has a use in the world, but it should not detract from the Test match format and the ODI World Cup. Currently, it is.

T20 cricket has provided the perfect entertainment for domestic fans who crave entertainment in a 3-hour period. With domestic tournaments recieving substantially higher viewership than its T20 world cup counterpart. Across the 2025 IPL season, a recorded 1.19 billion fans tuned in. Whilst I question the validity of this data, the CPL T20 tournament in the Carribean alledgedly recorded 1.17 billion viewers across 2025.

These remarkable statistics pose the question, should a global champions league T20 tournament replace the T20 world cup?

Nonetheless, whilst T20 cricket provides the perfect solution for entertainment in a short period, it does not compete with the ODI format in world tournaments. Further to this, the T20 format holds significantly less prestige and lower viewership numbers than the highly revered, Test Match format in international matches.

Leave a comment

I Love When India Lose T20I’s

Hugo Pierce — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:49:05 GMT

Whilst on the surface it may seem as though my hope in the downfall of India in the T20 format is inspired by resentment, the reality is far more complex. Any team defeating India in a T20 international match is a victory for the soul of Cricket. Particularly when it occurs in the finals of an ICC World Cup in the largest stadium in India, defeated by 76 runs.

India’s cricket board, the BCCI is irrefutably the leading force in world cricket, engaging hundreds of millions. With the growth of the IPL, India’s captivation towards the T20 format has increased substantially. Subsequently, the shifting gravity of India has resulted in the world following behind, adding in the demand for this malignant format. When India is defeated in the shortest ICC format, resistance against the growth of T20 cricket is evident, providing a crucial dose of sanity for the sport. If India’s T20 ambitions are thwarted, it would result in the perfect opportunity for India to fall back in love with other formats of the sport. Including the the purest class, Test Cricket.

Similarly, the roar of a crowd supporting their nation at an ODI world cup and the perfect duality between power and patience has provided the greatest international tournament in Cricket.

In contrast, T20 cricket has not superseded these pre-established formats on the world stage, but has acted as a less revered addition. As a result of this world cup exhaustion, the demands of Cricket fans have been saturated. This is not to say that T20 Cricket doesn’t have a use in the world, but it should not detract from the Test match format and the ODI World Cup. Currently, it is.

T20 cricket has provided the perfect entertainment for domestic fans who crave entertainment in a 3-hour period. Further to this, it has contributed significantly to the expansion of the game into various associate nations. However, in my opinion, it’s negative influence on the growth of Test and ODI formats have far outweighed its benefits. India losing in world tournaments harnesses decreased support for this format as an international event. Therefore, for the longevity of Test Matches and ODIs, India losing in T20Is is a victory for the sport.

The International Cricket Council Need to Take a Page Out of Fifa's Handbook

Hugo Pierce — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:51:52 GMT

The results from this T20 world cup tournament are underscoring an altering cricket landscape where emerging nations are fiercly competing with the dominant world cricketing forces. Cricket fans have been treated to various unexpected upsets throughout this tournament.

Zimbabwe defeating Australia and Sri Lanka. Italy proving victorious over Nepal, marking just as many wins for their nations cricket side as their football team in World Cup Tournaments since 2006. Despite their minor funding, in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Netherlands beat the World Test Champions, South Africa aswell as the major cricket force, Bangladesh and still continue to scare major nations in this T20 tournament.

Only 11.2 per cent of funding from the annual pool is dustributed amongst the 96 associate nations in the ICC. This equals roughly $67M ($700,000 each). Comparitively, The BCCI (India's Cricket Board), takes 38.5 percent ($231m a year), the largest share of any member. This figure is followed by England who recieve $41.3M and Australia who are funded $37.5M. As a result, any individual associate board recieves approximately 1/330th of what India are funded. Reinforcing the perpetuated hierarchy of World Cricket.

Subscribe now

Top National Governing Boards by Revenue

BCCI Cricket India $2.2 – $2.5 Billion

The FA Football England $732 Million (£551m)

RFEF Spanish Football Federation €407.3M (US$480M)

ECB England Wales Cricket Board $410 Million (£319.6m)

Cricket Australia $321 Million (AUD$453.7)

Despite this funding from the ICC, Indian Cricket, English Cricket and Cricket Australia are amongst the highest national governing boards by revenue. Inferring the lack in the need for subsidisation.

In contrast, the ICC holds an annual pool of almost $40M more than Fifa, worth $600M. Nevertheless, 88.81% of these funds are distributed across just the 12 full members of the ICC, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe worth up to $532.86M. Through this, the substantial subsidies injected from the ICC into this exclusive circle of the 12 test playing nations is responsible for the inequality amongst Cricket nations, significantly reducing the expansion of this sport. Shayan Jahangir, American batter spoke during the tournament around demanding more from the ICC.

Leave a comment

Unthinkable: Zimbabwe Defeat Australia

Hugo Pierce — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:18:39 GMT

The David verse Goliath battle in the 19th match of the T20 World Cup resulted in an unexpected win for Zimbabwe, strengthening their case for the finals with two wins from two games.

Only dropping two wickets in the first Innings, Zimbabwe posted the total of 169 runs, marked by classy batsmanship and perfect duality between aggression and defense amongst the top order batsman. The polar opposite was seen in Australia's batting innings, 4 wickets down in the first 5 overs. Inglis, Green, David and Head dismissed without considerable impact.

After famously triumphing over India in the ODI world cup of 2023, Australia have since failed in the world test championship final of 2025 and the T20 world cup of 2024. Coming off a significant Ashes series, Australia approached this tournament with the hope to once again reclaim their dominant status and clinch victory in this world cup, but are in doubt to progress through. Possibly marking the first time since 2009 that they haven't qualified for the finals in a world cup.

Although Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell provided some crucial resistance from the relentless Zimbabwe bowling attack, the major wicket in the 14th over by Burl which broke the 77 run partnership was the start of the end for Australia. Subsequently, losing 5 wickets in the next 5 overs. Bowling Australia out for 146 runs to win by 23.

Subscribe now

Not only will Andrew McDonald and his team have to wrestle with the reality of being defeated by Zimbabwe, but they will have to swallow the fact that they didn't even survive the whole 20 overs.

After the Netherlands almost beat Pakistan, England almost were defeated by Nepal and Afghanistan almost beat South Africa; are the results from this tournament underscoring an altering cricket landscape where emerging nations are finally competing with the dominant world cricketing forces?

Leave a comment

Out of Their Depth: Australia VS Ireland

Hugo Pierce — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:01:52 GMT

It was a comprehensive win for Australia in their first match of the tournament in Columbo. Whilst on the surface Australia were seen to outplay the Irishmen, they didn't pose a convincing argument for their case as world dominators. Australia's top order batsman weren't at their best, defeated by mindless shots whilst not establishing a significant innings total against a substandard Irish attack. This proves to be a continuing issue for Australia in the T20 format, bowled out for just 96 runs in their previous match against Pakistan.

Prior to the game, Australian captain, Mitch Marsh was ruled out of the fixture with testicular bleeding, leaving lingering doubts on his return for the remainder of the tournament. As a result, supported by public opinion and selected on remarkable form, Steve Smith will return to the T20i side as a standby option, averaging 82.85 in the most recent Big Bash League season.

Ireland's major reccuring pitfall is the poor fielding standards displayed; not only dropping catches but missing fundamental fielding opportunities through ground balls. Compounding onto their four dropped catches against Sri Lanka, Ireland dropped another three against Australia. Nevertheless, the dangerous left hander, Travis Head was dismissed early by a classy run out, highlighting positive signs against Irelands discouraging themes in the field.

Ireland were sent out to chase 182, Paul Stirling, the most capped T20i Cricketer retiring injured after just one ball, facing a hamstring concern. Six Irish batters finished the innings with scores under double digits, whilst Dockrell and Tucker proved resistant against Zampa, Ellis, and Kuhneman. Their counteractive intent and marvellous batsmanship against spin being their major points of difference. Regardless, the cream rose to the top as Australia claim two points in their endeavour for the finals. Conversely, Ireland are set to almost indubitably depart from this tournament earlier than desired, removing any hope in a reinactment of their 2007 ODI World Cup display.

Nathan Ellis claimed 4/12 whilst Zampa earned the figures of 4/23. George Dockrell steered Ireland closer to the target with 41 runs whilst Marcus Stoinis notably contributed 45 runs, adding to a significant partnership with Mathew Renshaw of 66 off 44.

Leave a comment