‘The revenue-share model is completely broken’ – Johnny Grave talks of Test cricket’s health outside big countries

West Indies vs India. (Pic source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

The CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI) came forward with a warning for major cricketing nations like India, England, and Australia. Responding to criticism aimed at his board and Cricket South Africa (CSA), Grave opined that the boards of England, India, and Australia should take big steps to change the economy of Test cricket.

Grave opined that the revenue-sharing model between major cricket boards was completely broken. Furthermore, he also opined that the mindset of bilateral cricket should be changed in the upcoming years of the sport. It is interesting to note that in 2018, Cricket West Indies asked for a cap on the number of international players in the various T20 leagues played across the globe.

However, those regulations excluded the ILT20, which allows nine foreign players in a lineup. Speaking of the same, Grave opined that if those regulations had been put into place, then the impact of the ILT20 on bilateral cricket could have been changed massively.

“If those regulations had been in place, the ILT20 probably wouldn’t have had the effect it has had on bilateral international cricket because it wouldn’t have had as many international players, therefore wouldn’t have got the broadcast revenues and probably wouldn’t be offering the kinds of money they are offering,” Grave said. 

“The revenue-share model is completely broken; if we operate as a cricketing community we are only as strong as the weakest team, and we’ve got to change the mindset of bilateral cricket,” Grave was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

What I would say to Steve Waugh is that CWI spent $2 million supporting Australian cricket, we’ve seen zero dollars back: Graves

Besides Johnny Grave also emphasized the ever-so-deteriorating quality of Test cricket and how many sides have to opt for uncapped youngsters in their lineups due to the senior players focusing on the shorter format or playing in franchise league tournaments. Notably, West Indies have seven uncapped players for their Test series against Australia, and some of their veteran stars will not be making the trip as well. The same attracted some criticism from pundits like Steve Waugh, who claimed that the Windies are not testing themselves. However, Grave had a fitting reply for the same.

“What I would say to Steve Waugh is that CWI has spent $2 million supporting Australian cricket in the last four months, and we’ve seen zero dollars back. Is that fair and reasonable?” Grave said.