With upcoming international tournaments, the cricketing world is full of excitement and challenges in equal measure. Preparation has been far from easy with the likes of Australia experiencing injury issues ahead of the Champions Trophy and England shifting its strategy when it comes to ODIs. Beyond this, there’s also the financial transformation that’s taking place in The Hundred and what that will mean to the format.
Beyond the action of the pitch, there’s also the commercialisation of the sport to consider. There are now more discussions than ever around sponsorships, technology, and strategies to boost engagement. As you read on, we’ll be taking a closer look at all of this, and more.
Australia’s Injury Concerns Before the Champions Trophy
With just weeks to go before the action gets underway in the Champions Trophy, Australia has been hit with major setbacks as several of its best players are now facing injury concerns. Firstly, there’s the captain, Pat Cummins, who is struggling with an ankle issue, and then there’s fast bowler, Josh Hazelewood, who is facing a recurring injury that he just can’t seem to shift. On top of all of this, there’s also the all-rounder, Mitchell Marsh, who is a definite non-starter thanks to a back injury, while Marcus Stoinis is also a doubt.
With such key players being out, the Australian selectors are now working hard to try and identify worthy replacements. Right now, there’s talk of bringing in the likes of Beau Webster and Tanveer Sangha. If Cummins remains sidelined then potential replacements could be either Steve Smith or Travis Head. The deadline for submitting the final squad is just over a week away, meaning that time is running out for Australia to address these concerns.
England’s ODI PLand and the Return of Joe Root
With T20 growing in popularity, England’s captain, Jos Buttler, has been vocal when it comes to concerns around the future of one-day internationals (ODIs) and how this format could soon disappear. Right now, England are set to face India in an important ODI series as the build up to the Champions Trophy continues. While Buttler is clear that ODI cricket is now permanently in the shadow of shorter formats, he remains a huge fan of the 50-over World Cup and feels that it comes with prestige that just can’t be matched.
Perhaps the best news for the England team is that Joe Root is set to return after being out of action for the last 15 months. With 172 ODI matches under his belt, Root is one of the more experienced players and is set to bat at number three. His inclusion means that there’s a degree of stability added to the middle order which has previously collapsed against India in the T20.
For England, the match against India will be an uphill struggle from the start. It’s now been more than four decades since the team has won an ODI series in India, and players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still a real threat. There’s also emerging talent in the Indian team, such as Varun Chakaravarthy to consider.
The Financial Shift in The Hundred
The financial structure of The Hundred in England is seeing some major changes, with stakes now being sold off. The expectation is that there will be a £400 million investment from private capital and this will mean that the valuation of the tournament will push beyond £800 million. This all shows that there remains huge interest in English cricket as well as a desire to protect historic venues.
The tournament is scheduled to take place between Indian and American time zones so that it can attract the best talent from around the world, while also bringing in the biggest audience possible. However, there is a challenge here as the Board of Control for Cricket in India places major restrictions on Indian players being able to take part in overseas franchises. There’s a good chance that private investors will push to get access to the best players in the sport.
Changes in Cricket Sponsorship
The appeal of cricket is growing, thanks to the way that it has innovated and introduced new formats. This has led to newer industries getting in on the scene with sponsorship deals. The likes of bitcoin casino operators, and other blockchain-based platforms are keen to have their names associated with the sport and to expose themselves to a huge audience.
Final Thoughts
With injuries, financial changes, and new sponsors, now’s an exciting time to be involved with cricket. It’s clear that the sport has a global reach and this is something that will only increase over time. It has shown its ability to adapt and this is why we can be sure that its success will be long term.
