T20 Leagues threatening future of bilateral series: ICC CEO Richardson

London The ICC chief executive David Richardson today warned that the growing popularity of the domestic Twenty20 leagues like the IPL Big Bash and CPL are threatening the survival of bilateral series with the exception of Ashes and bigticket tours involving IndiaTo arrest the decline of bilateral series Richardson said a number of possibilities were discussed at the ICC annual conference in Barbados in June and would again be one of the highlights at the next Board meeting in OctoberApart from series such as the Ashes which has an iconic traditional status and series between India and the top Full Members many bilateral series are perceived ashaving little relevance Attendances in most series especially for Test cricket have fallen and the revenues generated from these series are not growingThe international cricket landscape has changed over the years and even more significantly in recent times with the advent and success of domestic T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League the Big Bash and the Caribbean Premier League These events are attracting widespread support from fans and hence the interest of broadcasters sponsors and other commercial partnersSimilarly the interest in and value of ICC events such as the World Cup the Champions Trophy and World T20 has grown significantly over the last eight years or so The increase in interest in ICC events and domestic T20 leagues effectively provides competition for the interest in bilateral international cricket series FTP series Richardson told ESPNcricinfo hereIn order to enhance the appeal of bilateral series Richardson felt that improved marketing and a more certain and coordinated schedule could be a solution How can we grow interest in bilateral series bigger crowds more people watching on television following the series on their phones tablets and computers For this to happen bilateral series need greater context a clear narrative improved marketing and a more certain and coordinated schedule Richardson saidWhats the use of scheduling a series in the monsoon season or how can you expect to grow the fan base or attract attendances if series are scheduled or changed at the last minute he askedRichardson also revealed a possible solution that the administrators were thinking was about creating qualifying leagues for both Test and ODIs an idea that had the support of all the powerful members of the ICC BoardScheduling more triseries creating a brand around the FTP and around individual series creating a fresh brand for the ODI format itself World Cup Cricket for example as Wally Edwards is proposing creation of Test or ODI World Cup Qualifying leagues These are all ideas that need to be considered and discussedThey have been mooted before but now with the involvement of Mr N Srinivasan as Chairman the BCCI ECB CA and the other Members these issues are being seriously looked at he saidWe are just in discussions at the moment Michael Holding has spoken about a Test league of two divisions others have previously suggested a sixandfour teams format But first the principles and then the detail needs to be debated and agreed I think it is achievable if all the Full Members think it is worthwhile and want it to happenRichardson explainedThe chief executive however clarified that any league system would be independent of the ICC ranking The debate on leagues is still in the drawing boardphase but even if leagues were introduced the rankings would still coexist The ICC rankings will always be there Take international football for example they have qualifying leagues for the FIFA World Cup and Continental tournaments separate to the world rankings concluded Richardson