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ECB warns The Hundred franchises amid concerns over Pakistan snub

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a formal reminder to all eight franchises of The Hundred regarding their obligations, following reports that Pakistan players could be overlooked by teams with Indian Premier League (IPL)-linked ownership at next month’s auction.

According to English media, the ECB circulated an email on Sunday stressing that any form of discrimination, including decisions influenced by nationality, would invite action.

It is understood that if credible evidence emerges, the matter could be referred to the independent Cricket Regulator, while the ECB may also pursue separate measures as the governing body of the 100-ball competition.

The move follows a report earlier this week claiming that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds may opt against considering Pakistan players at the March 11–12 auction.

The issue has once again highlighted the broader geopolitical tensions that have impacted cricketing ties between India and Pakistan for over a decade.

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Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since 2009, and their participation in other leagues has narrowed as IPL team owners have expanded into tournaments such as SA20 in South Africa and the ILT20 in the UAE.

For the upcoming edition of The Hundred, 67 Pakistan players, 63 men and four women, have entered the auction pool. The list includes high-profile names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

In total, 964 players have registered for the draft. Franchises are required to submit a preferred list of 75 to 100 names, with the ECB trimming the overall pool to a shortlist of around 200 players set to go under the hammer.

Notably, no Pakistan players were picked in last year’s auction, although Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim later featured as replacement signings.

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ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is set to investigate an alleged video of Ben Duckett, which went viral after he reportedly got lost on his way back to the team hotel.

The alleged video emerged on the X platform on Tuesday, just after England men’s managing director Rob Key said that there would be an investigation into the Three Lions refreshing trip during the break between Second Ashes Test.

England took a four-day break in Noosa, a beautiful Sunshine Coast resort town in Queensland, which was booked by head coach Brendon McCullum a year in advance for players’ refreshment.

However, things turned ugly as England lost their third Test in a row, handing Australia the Ashes with two matches still to play.

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Following the video, the ECB confirmed the probe and noted that they will follow the necessary protocols for a thorough investigation.

“We are aware of content circulating on social media,” the board said.

“We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players that need assistance,” it added.

“We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts.”

For the unversed, Ben Duckett is going through a poor run in the Ashes, managing just 97 at an average of 16.`16 with a highest score of 29.

Notably, this is not the first time the 31-year-old has been under scrutiny for disciplinary conduct.

Eight years ago, Duckett, who was part of the Lions squad for the 2017-18 series, was sent back home with a fine and a suspension by the ECB for pouring a drink over James Anderson.

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ECB confirms franchise deals for six teams in The Hundred

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday the signing of the agreements for the six franchises of The Hundred tournament, with deals for the Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets still to be finalized.

The 100-balls-per-side format, launched in 2021, features men’s and women’s teams.

The 100-balls-a-side format, which features men’s and women’s teams, was launched to great fanfare in 2021. It has proved controversial, with many county cricket fans angry at the way the tournament deprives their clubs of key players at the height of the season.

The investors among the six groups are the US-based Tech Titans, who have taken a 49 percent stake in London Spirit, whereas India’s RPSG Group has acquired a 70 percent stake in the Manchester Originals.

Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of RPSG Group, will rename Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants, aligning with his Super Giants franchises in the IPL and SA20.

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Additionally, Chennai-based Sun TV Network has completed the signing for the 100 percent stake in the Northern Superchargers, while the GMR Group has acquired a 49 percent stake in the Southern Brave.

Sanjay Govil, the owner of Washington Freedom, a franchise in the Major League Cricket (MLC), has acquired a 50 percent stake in the Welsh Fire.

The Birmingham Phoenix team is taken by Knighthead Capital Management LLC.

In addition to the unsigned agreement with Reliance Group for a 49% stake in Oval Invincible, Cain International and Ares Management have not yet finalized their agreement for a 49% stake in Trent Rockets.

It is noteworthy to mention that new owners will take over the franchises from October 1, 2025.

Following the deals, the ECB mentioned that it has control over key areas of franchises amid new partners’ investment.

“The new partners are investing in The Hundred teams, while the ECB retains full ownership of the competition itself, and with that, control over key areas such as regulations, the length of the window, and other matters that have a wider game-wide impact,” the media release further clarified.

READ: Pakistan advance to WCL 2025 final following India’s withdrawal

Saudi Arabia’s T20 league hits roadblock as BCCI, ECB decline support

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have reportedly refused to back Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to launch a high-profile T20 league, according to British media reports on Wednesday.

The proposed league, which aimed to attract global stars with a USD 400 million investment, was designed on the lines of tennis Grand Slams, featuring eight franchises playing across four venues throughout the year.

However, the project appears to have hit a roadblock with both BCCI and ECB reportedly unwilling to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players.

As per the report, both cricket boards have aligned to resist Saudi Arabia’s T20 league, primarily to shield their own flagship competitions, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and The Hundred, from a potential player exodus and financial disruption.

It is also believed that both boards intend to raise the issue within the International Cricket Council (ICC), pushing for restrictions on player participation in the Saudi venture.

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On the other hand, Cricket Australia (CA) is said to be open to discussions with Saudi investors, as it looks to tap private investment for its Big Bash League (BBL).

For the unversed, currently, BBL teams are owned by state associations and the governing body.

Meanwhile, the IPL, now valued at approximately USD 12 billion, remains a dominant force in franchise cricket.

The ECB has also taken steps to boost its financial standing, recently offering 49 percent stakes in The Hundred teams to private investors.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) had earlier raised over USD 136 million through the sale of SA20 franchises to Indian owners, showcasing the growing influence of private investment in the sport.

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ECB bans transgender women from participating in all levels of women’s cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday that transgender women are prohibited from participating in women’s and girls’ matches.

The decision followed the UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman in equalities law and follows similar moves in football and netball.

Earlier, the ECB had banned transgender women from participating in its elite competitions, bringing it into line with the ICC’s stance.

The ECB has announced that the decision implemented with immediate effect, participation in women’s and girls’ cricket matches will be limited to those assigned female at birth.

“With immediate effect, only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches,” the ECB said in a statement.

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“Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket,” it added.

The statement emphasized the Supreme Court ruling, stressing inclusivity in cricket as a sport.

”Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible.’

”These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone’s gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players. However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary,” ECB said.

The cricketing governing body admitted that this decision will have an impact on transgender women and girls.

ECB further indicated that the board plans to work alongside Recreational Cricket Boards to provide support for those affected by this regulatory change.

“We acknowledge that this decision will have a significant impact on transgender women and girls. We will work with Recreational Cricket Boards to support people impacted by this change in our regulations.

“We await updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and will study this carefully.

“We maintain that abuse or discrimination has no place in our sport and are committed to ensuring that cricket is played in a spirit of respect and inclusivity.”

READ: Bangladesh set to play T20I series against UAE ahead of Pakistan tour

ECB confirms Nat Sciver-Brunt as new England Women’s Captain

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday confirmed that all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has been appointed as the new captain of the national women’s team.

Sciver-Brunt succeeds Heather Knight, who left her role following England’s 2025 Women’s Ashes series after a near nine-year tenure and will lead in all three formats, working alongside recently appointed head coach Charlotte Edwards.

The 32-year-old has been an integral part of England’s set-up since making her debut in 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most gifted cricketers.

Sciver-Brunt has a notable collection of awards, including winning the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022 and 2023.

She was also named PCA Women’s Player of the Year in 2017 and 2022 and was a part of the ICC Women’s ODI and T20 Teams of the Year in 2023.

Currently ranked number three in the ICC world batting rankings in ODI cricket, Nat Sciver-Brunt has spent the previous three years as vice-captain.

In 2021, Sciver-Brunt captained her country for the first time in international cricket for the third T20I match against New Zealand and also took charge for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

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Sciver-Brunt was part of the team that won the 2017 World Cup and has played 259 times for England across formats to date. She averages 46.47 in Tests, 45.91 in ODIs and 28.45 in T20Is, whilst also taking 181 international wickets.

Most recently, Sciver-Brunt ended the 2025 Women’s Premier League in India with 523 runs, becoming the first player to accumulate more than 500 runs in a single season. She also became the first to score 1,000 runs in the WPL.

“I’m really proud to take on the role of captain of the England Women’s team, and it’s an honour to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I’ve always looked up to,” Nat Sciver-Brunt said on her appointment as England Women’s Captain.

“Ever since I made my England debut back in 2013, all I have wanted to do is help the team in every way that I can. I will try my best to lead this team to success, whilst empowering them to be the best version of themselves.

“We have a really talented group, and we have a group that’s united. It’s a team I believe in and a team that can have a lot of success together.

“It’s hugely exciting to be working with Charlotte, having had the pleasure of working with her in the last three years at Mumbai Indians. Her love of cricket and passion for the England Women’s team is inspiring, and I’m excited to see where this partnership leads us.”

England Women will begin their 2025 home summer campaign on 21 May with a home series against the West Indies, featuring three Metro Bank One Day Internationals and three Vitality T20Is.

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ECB opposes Saudi-backed T20 league idea

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has dismissed the idea of a Saudi-funded global T20 league, citing a packed schedule as a key reason.

A Sydney Morning Herald report on Saturday revealed that the global T20 event would feature eight teams across four different locations, backed by Saudia Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

However, ECB chief Richard Gould rejected the proposal, emphasizing busy international schedule and player workload management.

“With the busy international calendar, a host of established franchise leagues around the world, and existing concerns about player workloads, there is no scope or demand for such an idea,” Gould told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

“It’s not something that we would support,” he added.

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The proposed league dubbed the ‘Grand Slam of Cricket’, is designed to mirror tennis Grand Slam format, with teams competing four times a year in different countries.

Notably, the ECB remains focused on protecting its 100-ball tournament, The Hundred, especially after raising $1.27 billion last month after through private franchise investments.

For the unversed, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is widely regarded as the pinnacle of franchise cricket, while Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates also have their own T20 leagues.

It is pertinent to mention that the Australian Cricketers Association(ACA) has supported Saudia Arabia’s idea of T20 league, citing potential benefits for players.

“The ACA’s early interest in exploring this concept is motivated by a desire to develop and normalise best-practice collective bargaining and an international gender-equity pay model for male and female cricketers,” the player’s union was quoted as saying in the report.

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Shakib Al Hasan banned from bowling in ECB competitions

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an independent assessment of his bowling action.

Shakib’s action was reported by the standing umpires while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship match against Somerset in September.

Shakib completed an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which found that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15-degree threshold as defined in the Regulations.

The suspension is officially dated from December 10, the date when the ECB received the results of the assessment from Loughborough University.

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This action follows the established protocol outlined in the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action.

In order to lift this suspension, Shakib Al Hasan must successfully undergo an independent reassessment of his bowling action.

Specifically, during this evaluation, the degree of elbow extension in his bowling must be measured and found to be below the 15-degree threshold stipulated in the regulations.

Notably, Shakib showcased his skills by claiming an impressive nine wickets during the aforementioned match for Surrey. This match marked his return to county cricket after a long hiatus since the 2010-11 season.

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ECB chief fears financial risks if India opt out of Champions Trophy

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Richard Thompson and CEO Richard Gould highlighted India’s importance ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

Thompson, while speaking to the journalists, raised concerns about India’s potential absence from the eight-team tournament, specifically linked to the financial implications.

“Cricket cannot afford to lose its broadcasting rights, and the Champions Trophy without India would not be in the best interest of the sport,” said Thompson.

The ECB high-ups also revealed that a hybrid model, designed to let India play their matches outside Pakistan, is also under consideration, subject to India’s refusal to tour the country.

Richard Thompson, however, shared that the final decision regarding the hybrid model would be made by the upcoming ICC CEO Jay Shah, who is also the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

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Meanwhile, Gould backed Thompson’s assertion that the meeting regarding the hybrid model will soon be held by the apex cricketing body.

“Whenever Pakistan and India play, security concerns in the region escalate, but the financial stakes for broadcasting rights are significant,” said Gould.

Notably, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February- March window, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Remember, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer slams Haris over comments about India

County club calls ECB ‘stupid’ over ‘fat bat’ points deduction

Essex County Cricket Club blasted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for deducting 12 County Championship points as one of their players used a bat ruled too wide.

Essex’s hopes of winning the County Championship have all but perished when one of their batters, Feroze Khushi, used a bat, whose dimension went against the MCC’s regulations, with Law 5.7.2 imposing that a bat’s width should be 10.8cm.

The issue arose in the second innings of Essex’s opening County Championship fixture against Nottinghamshire when on-field umpires Tom Lungley and Steve O’Shaughnessy, during a routine inspection, found out that Khushi’s bat got stuck in the measurement gauge.

Essex went on to win their campaign opener convincingly by 254 runs but has now been docked 12 points from the 20 that they secured from the victory.

The sanction means that Essex now trail defending champions and leaders Surrey by 56 points with just two rounds remaining.

The sanction was imposed by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC), which runs as a separate entity, independent of the ECB.

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But that did not prohibit former England captain and Essex Keith Fletcher from branding the ECB as “absolutely stupid”.

“Feroze does not believe he did anything wrong and the whole side has been penalised, not just the one player,” Fletcher told The Times.

“As a batsman I know that a few millimetres either way is not going to have any effect on performance. Umpires test bats at random and I think the ECB have been absolutely stupid.”

Notably, Essex lodged a formal appeal when the charge was raised by the CDC and in a 31-page judgment, the body acknowledged that some of the gauges used to measure Khushi’s bat “did not comply precisely with the specifications”.

Meanwhile, Feroze Khushi, in response to the sanction, said that he had trusted his bat manufacturing company to follow MCC’s regulations, adding he did not intend to use a “non-conforming bat” but was still reprimanded for his part in the negligence.

“Essex CCC regrets the outcome and, although disappointed with the appeal decision and subsequent sanctions, accepts the charges of the CDC panel,” a club statement said.

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