&w=3840&q=100)
IPL ownership in The Hundred: ECB's new lifeline for county cricket
Investment uplift amid financial divide
The current financial landscape of English county cricket reveals deep economic inequalities. While a few top-tier counties command significant revenue streams, many smaller clubs find themselves struggling to stay afloat. Counties without a Hundred team, including Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, depend heavily on ECB funding to survive each season.
The ECB's move to open up The Hundred to private ownership aims to narrow this financial gap. The sale of equity in the eight Hundred franchises is expected to generate substantial revenue, with a portion of it allocated to all 18 first-class counties—regardless of whether they host a Hundred side or not.
IPL and American investors reshape The Hundred
Four franchises in The Hundred have secured backing from IPL owners. Oval Invincibles, Northern Superchargers, Manchester Originals and Southern Brave have attracted investments from management teams behind leading IPL clubs such as Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.
The remaining four franchises—Trent Rockets, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire—are now supported by American investors, bringing fresh capital and global sports business expertise to English cricket. According to those involved in the transition, this strategic mix of Indian and US investment is not only about financial sustainability but also knowledge-sharing and operations enhancement.
Building facilities, fans and futures
Warwickshire County Cricket Club CEO Stuart Cain has pointed out that this new funding can drive improvements beyond the Hundred-hosting counties. By investing in better stadiums, clubs can enhance the matchday experience, attract more spectators and increase revenue streams. Cain also cited his club's plan to develop an on-site hotel at Edgbaston as an example of how counties can use the money smartly to build long-term revenue-generation avenues.
He added that counties disadvantaged by the Hundred's franchise locations now have the financial means to improve infrastructure and strengthen teams, especially for formats like red-ball cricket and the T20 Blast.
Talent development and raising standards
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the influx of investment will go beyond infrastructure upgrades and play a key role in player development. He urged counties to collaborate more closely and break away from traditional rivalries to ensure best practices are shared across the board.
Former Indian wicketkeeper and Lancashire legend Farokh Engineer echoed this sentiment, recalling a time when county cricket regularly featured global stars. He expressed hope that the renewed financial backing will raise the standard of play and restore county cricket to its former prestige.
Making the most of the windfall
Stakeholders agree that how counties handle the new funding will define the long-term success of this initiative. The money alone won't fix structural issues unless it's invested strategically in facilities, player development, fan engagement and marketing. The IPL has provided a model of sustainable, high-quality cricket through smart management, and there's a strong belief that English counties can learn from this approach to evolve their own systems.
As the fifth season of The Hundred approaches, the ECB's openness to global investment has set the stage for a new era in English cricket. It's a defining moment—one that could decide whether county cricket merely survives or is truly reborn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
12 minutes ago
- First Post
Zero-duty access to jobs: India-UK Free Trade Agreement in 10 simple points
Under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), up to 95% of agricultural products and processed foods will be traded duty-free. Dairy products, edible oils and apples, however, have been exempted. The FTA will also make it easier for Indian professionals to move to the UK. Here we explain the India-UK FTA in 10 points. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets British PM Sir Keir Starmer at the Chequers in England on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Photo: X/Narendra Modi) Under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed on Thursday, up to 95 per cent of agricultural products and processed foods have been added to the zero-duty category whereas certain sectors sensitive to India have been excluded from the category. Overall, the trade deal secures unprecedented duty-free access for 99 per cent of India's exports to the United Kingdom, covering nearly the entire trade basket, the Union commerce ministry said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here are 10 key features of the India-UK trade deal — from duty-free access to goods to easier mobility of professionals. 1. Farmers to get preferential access to UK markets Indian farmers will get preferential access to the UK's $35 billion agricultural market. Overall, more than 95 per cent of agricultural products and processed food products will attract zero duties, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, pickles, spice mixes, fruit pulps, and ready-to-eat meals and processed foods. This will boost India's export and enhancing income of domestic farmers. 2. India protects sensitive sectors Despite the duty-free trade of such products, India has secured the exclusion of sensitive sectors like dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils, and oats, to protect the interest of Indian farmers and traders by preventing the influx of cheaper imports. 3. Big catch for Indian fishermen The India-UK trade deal has opened the $5.4 billion UK market for marine exports as the UK import duty on marine products will fall to 0 from up to 20 per cent. 4. Boost for job creation The India-UK trade deal has given a competitive edge to Indian labour-intensive industries in the UK, giving them more employment-generation opportunities. 'CETA [Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement] secures unprecedented duty-free access for 99 per cent of India's exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. This is expected to open new opportunities for labour-intensive industries such as textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems and jewellery, alongside fast-growing sectors like engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals,' the Union commerce ministry said. 5. Zero duty on major sectors Duties have been brought down to 0 per cent on several major Indian sectors, such as textiles (down from 12 per cent), base metals (from 10 per cent), and chemicals (from 8 per cent). 6. Gains for rural India As most of the processed food products have been brought under a zero-duty regime from 70 per cent duties, rural Indian producers and exporters of that produce are set to get a boost. 7. Double Contribution Convention (DCC) to exempt workers and employers from social security contribution for three years. This will benefit 75,000 Indian workers in the UK. 8. Indian professionals will get better mobility access to the UK. 9. Up to 1,800 Indian chefs, yoga instructors, and classical musicians can move temporarily to UK to provide services. 10. More opportunities for India's services sector The India-UK trade deal will provide better opportunities to India's services sector. 'The agreement provides greater market access in IT and IT-enabled services, financial and legal services, professional and educational services, and digital trade. Indian professionals, including those deployed by companies to work in UK across all services sectors, professionals deployed on contracts such as architects, engineers, chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians, will benefit from simplified visa procedures and liberalised entry categories, making it easier for talent to work in the UK,' the Union commerce ministry said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Looking For High-Scoring Partnership': Modi Bats For Youth, Farmers, MSMEs & Global Trade
India and the United Kingdom have signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that promises to double bilateral trade, unlock new markets for Indian exports, and make UK products more affordable in India. Signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds, the deal was sealed in the presence of PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer. Modi called the moment 'historic,' comparing India-UK ties to a cricket match played with a straight bat. From Indian textiles and engineering goods to UK whisky and medical devices, the FTA aims to benefit both nations, but especially India's youth, farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs. This deal puts India on a stronger global footing, showing that even amid turbulent global trade dynamics, Delhi is batting with vision, confidence, and purpose. Watch how India's 'Vision 2035' is turning trade into transformation.#pmmodi #narendramodi #indiaukdeal #modistarmer #modiukvisit #modistarmermeeting #modicrickettalk #cricket #modicricketanalogy #cricketanalogy #fta #indiauktarde #freetradeagreement #brexitindia #globaltrade #newchapter #indiaeconomy #ukindiarelations #modidiplomacy #keirstarmer #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews Read More
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India men's team to tour England in 2026 for 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs; women's team to play 3 T20Is and one Test
India's schedule for their men's and women's tour of England next year has been announced, with the men's team to play solely limited overs cricket and the women's side playing three T20Is and a Test. The men's white-ball tour will consist of five T20Is and three ODI, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also confirmed the same and it potentially means that veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could tour England one last time, with the pair having retired from Tests and T20Is. The women's tour starts first with the first T20I set to be played at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford. Bristol will host the second T20I on May 30 and the series ends in Taunton on June with the third T20I. The standalone Test will then be hosted at Lord's from July 10. The men's five-match T20I tour starts at Chester-le-Street on July 1, followed by the second T20I in Manchester at Old Trafford on July 4. The third T20I will be played at Trent Bridge on July 7. Briston will host the fourth T20I on July 9 after which the series ends at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The three-match ODI series comes after that with the first match in Birmingham on Juky 14. This will be followed by matches at Cardiff, on July 16 and Lord's at July 19. The Ben Stokes-led England men's Test team will also welcome New Zealand and Pakistan in two Rothesay Test series, while Harry Brook's white-ball side will host Sri Lanka besides India in ODIs and T20Is. 'We're really excited to unveil what promises to be a spectacular summer of international cricket in 2026. With world class opposition visiting iconic venues across the country, fans will have the chance to witness the very best of the men's and women's game,' ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said in a statement. 'The highlight of the summer will undoubtedly be the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, hosted here in England for the first time since 2009. It's a huge moment for the women's game, for Nat Sciver-Brunt and her team, and it's a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and fans. 'And just after that, we're thrilled that Lord's will also host an England Women's Test match for the first time, marking a really special period of time for the women's game,' he added.
