Cricket Legends Call for Fair Play Amid Concerns Over “Big Three” Dominance
The longstanding dominance of cricket’s “Big Three” — India, Australia, and England — has sparked renewed debate, as former international stars voice concerns about their disproportionate control over the modern game.
💬 Cricket Greats Speak Out
In a recent episode of Stick to Cricket, former legends Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd shared their thoughts on how the financial and scheduling influence of the Big Three is reshaping cricket — and not necessarily for the better.
“The Big Three can’t take all the money,” said David Lloyd. “There needs to be more even distribution so that teams like West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka can still compete.”
💸 Financial Inequality in Cricket
The financial divide is at the heart of the issue. According to ICC revenue distribution figures:
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India (BCCI) receives 38.4% of the ICC’s $600 million annual revenue.
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England (ECB) earns 6.89%.
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Australia (CA) receives 6.25%.
This means the Big Three take home over 50% of global cricket revenues — leaving a limited share for other nations. The imbalance has a direct impact on player retention, especially in lower-income cricketing countries.
🏏 Franchise Leagues vs. National Duty
Brian Lara highlighted how financial disparity is pushing players to choose franchise leagues over national representation. He pointed to the West Indies’ performance dip as a direct result of top talent opting for lucrative T20 leagues.
Alastair Cook, one of England’s most respected batsmen, added:
“It’s frustrating that playing for your country is no longer the biggest thing. I don’t blame the players—it’s the system that needs to change.”
⚖️ A Call for a Fairer System
Michael Vaughan emphasized the need for a fairer revenue model:
“The pie isn’t split right. For a more competitive global game, countries like Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka need a bigger share—so they can retain players and strengthen their teams.”
The idea of a two-tier international system has been floated, but without a balanced financial framework, smaller cricketing nations may continue to struggle.
🔄 The Path Forward
Despite rising criticism from former legends and fans alike, the Big Three’s influence remains firmly entrenched. Their players continue to receive top-tier salaries, reducing the temptation to leave international cricket.
However, with voices like Lara, Cook, Lloyd, and Vaughan speaking out, there is renewed hope that cricket’s power structure could evolve towards greater fairness and global competitiveness.
Conclusion: For cricket to truly become a global sport, it must offer equal opportunity for growth and competition. Fair revenue sharing could be the first step toward ensuring that all cricketing nations—not just the Big Three—have a chance to thrive on the world stage.
