Johnny Grave, the chief executive of Cricket West Indies, is hopeful that the experiences from their bio-secure tour of England in 2020 will further the discussion on the revenue-sharing model in Test cricket. Earlier this year, he labelled the current system as "completely broken."
During the inaugural World Cricket Connects symposium at Lord's, attended by key figures in the sport, Grave expressed his aspiration for West Indies to continue being competitive. He referred to their victory in the first Test of the 2020 tour in Southampton and their successes in the 2019 and 2022 home series against England.
However, Grave highlighted the financial strain on CWI, citing their $2 million expenditure for the Australia tour in January and February. He argued that the cricketing giants—India, England, and Australia—should support the economies of less affluent cricketing nations instead of merely conducting overseas tours that benefit the host boards financially.
Grave pointed out that CWI receives no financial benefit from the Australian market, exacerbating their financial challenges. Reflecting on the West Indies' series-levelling win at the Gabba, he mentioned the importance of measures to maintain competitive balance across all formats. He emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of cricket globally.
Using India's T20I series in Zimbabwe as an example, Grave illustrated that the BCCI is already contributing significantly to the global game through their participation. He supported the idea, proposed by ECB's Richard Gould, of paying touring teams a fee for fulfilling their overseas commitments.
Grave acknowledged the necessity of more meaningful and contextual cricket but stressed that revenue sharing among the top three cricketing nations is crucial. He noted that while the BCCI cannot increase their cricketing commitments, England has been supportive by touring the West Indies regularly since 2017. Thus, the focus should shift to revising the financial model, with leaders from the ECB, Australia, and India discussing potential changes, indicating a positive shift in mindset.
The significance of West Indies' role during the 2020 Covid-affected summer was evident, as they played three Tests behind closed doors in bio-secure environments at Old Trafford and Southampton. This helped the ECB meet their contractual obligations to Sky Sports, significantly mitigating financial losses.
Grave highlighted that the pandemic demonstrated the need for competitive opposition to enhance the game. During Covid, cricket boards collaborated to ensure the sport's survival, prioritising the game's future over immediate revenue concerns.
The West Indies' Test tour comes on the heels of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Despite not reaching the semi-finals, the event showcased a strong sense of unity and expectation among players who often prioritise T20 franchise opportunities. Grave credited this to respectful communication with players, creating windows for IPL and CPL participation, and scheduling bilateral cricket thoughtfully to allow players time with their families and opportunities to play in other leagues.
Grave praised the leadership of Darren Sammy and Rovman Powell in focusing the T20 team and expressed optimism for the upcoming Test series against England. The series, starting at Lord's, is seen as a pinnacle for West Indies, a barometer of the team's development. Playing for the Richards-Botham Trophy, the series symbolises the deep friendship between England and the West Indies, offering a special opportunity for players to showcase their talents on a prestigious stage.