The B(ICC)I bullies

Or are they really bullies?

There has been much vitriol spat the way of the BCCI, CA and the ECB. You can read one of them here: http://kickthestumps.com

However, the purpose of MY article is to look at things purely from the business end of the transformation. 

It's no surprise that India (read: BCCI) are the money-spinners in the cricketing world. They provide valuable funding to "smaller" (read: not wealthy) cricketing nations, one of which is South Africa, current number 1 in the Test cricket rankings. 

Now humour me for a second here, before you get your panties in a knot over this. Imagine that you are a wealthy person. Imagine that you have a product which you are globally dominant in, financially. Imagine that this is YOUR business. Imagine that you spend millions in upskilling new starters to your business. Or that you are just passionate enough about your product that you help smaller companies out, financially, with your product. 

Imagine that you spent millions of dollars on this. What kind of return on investment would you like to receive? After all, whilst cricket is a game to us commoners, it is a business that's being run as well. This business generates billions of dollars of revenue every year. This business is on the global stage, month after month. Your product is known globally, and followed religiously. 

Would you want a larger piece of the pie?I hear crickets chirping. (Sorry, that was a bad pun). But I think you get the gist of what I am saying. You would want return on investment, wouldn't you? You would want to be able to shape the product that you have invested in so heavily. You would want it to grow, whilst at the same time, lining your own pocket. Well, I know I would. I would want to protect my investment. 

And that's just what the BCCI are doing here. They're looking after their product. They're looking after their investment. Yes, cricket belongs to all. But there's no harm in protecting what you've nurtured. 

There are a few things I agree and disagree with in the "draft" proposal. I DO after with the need for a two-tiered test test nation structure. This is much needed in world cricket. What I don't agree with, in the same breath, is that India, England and Australia should be exempt from relegation to the second tier. If you play badly, that's where you should end up. This isn't primary school where you're not allowed to fail, or high school where 30% is an acceptable pass mark. Enough on that. I don't know anyone who differs from this opinion anyway. If you disagree with this, I would love to hear your opinion, but it would be a hard sell. 

Next is the proposal that all ICC events would be held in one of India, England or Australia from now until 2023. Let's just quickly look at a list of "ICC Events", shall we?

We have the ODI world cups. The next one is in Australia already. That leaves 2019 and 2023. One for England (2019), one for India. Is that so unreasonable? All three nations have proven track records if hosting successful cricket events. This is not a major issue, if you look at it from this angle. 

We also have the T20 world cups. Now no offence, but I've fallen in love with the Big Bash League that Australia puts on each year. Each year, there's noticeable growth. Each year, it seems to get better and better. Australia have proven that there more than capable of hosting a successful tournament. ***Disclaimer: I live in Australia*** 

I'm not a big fan of the IPL, but they sure put bums on seats. In not sure what England's Twenty20 attendance figures are, but I'm sure they'll be better attended than South Africa's Ram Slam 20/20 tournament. If you have proof otherwise, please correct me and I'll correct it here, with citation. 

My point with the T20's is that the countries opposed to host them are fully deserving of hosting them. No problems there from my side. 

We have an ICC World Test championship looking. The first one is I be held in England in 2017. The next one is in 2021, and will be hosted by either India. No issues there. Again, the interests of cricket are being looked after here, and these schedules are already agreed upon. 

These are just a few examples of ICC "events" that could be affected by the passing of the proposed reformation. No dramas there, as far as I can see. 

I think we may be getting our proverbial panties in a knot a bit prematurely.

Should you have any issues with this proposal, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Boycott games? Don't be silly. They'll still be broadcast on TV. The best way to show disapproval is to show up at the games with banners, wear black armbands, something that demonstrates how upset you (we) are. 

Ok, ok. So I'm just trying to make you look at things from a different angle. Let me know what you think, friends. 

Please excuse any spelling mistakes I may have made, as this was hastily typed whilst travelling on a train.