Latest news with #RichardGould
India Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
India Test series on par with Ashes in terms of commercial importance: ECB chief
Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), believes the forthcoming five-match Test series against India holds commercial significance on par with the iconic Ashes. Gould is banking on the contest to recapture the imagination of English fans following an underwhelming international summer in year, the country's sports fans were captivated by the Paris Olympics and the UEFA Euro - Europe's premier international football tournament. In contrast, the sight of empty seats at Lord's following England's series win over Sri Lanka reflected a worrying dip in cricket's appeal. With the hugely popular Indian team touring, Gould expects a strong resurgence in attendance and know how big it is. It is a huge summer," Gould was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "Last summer, there were all sorts of things happening all over the place, weren't there? "I think that is one of the great things about a five-Test series: it is a proper long-read; it's something that people can get really into. There will be subplots, and sub-subplots. There will be all sorts of issues over that six-week period," Gould prominent Indian stars such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin may have retired from Test cricket in recent months, India's status as a cricketing powerhouse ensures the series remains a marquee event."Certainly, in terms of commercial importance," Gould said, drawing a direct comparison with the upcoming series also kicks off a fresh chapter in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams. India, who have not won a Test series in England since 2007, last toured in 2021–22 when the series ended 2– was also excited about the revival of longer Test engagements."There's been lots of discussion about short formats, but Test cricket is doing quite a resurgence in its own way," he noted."Particularly with the five-Test series: we're seeing more of those than we have done for a long time."On the future of the WTC finals, Gould believes England retains a unique edge. The country has hosted all three WTC finals so far, and the ECB chief sees compelling reasons for that trend to continue."The WTC, for us, is not the be-all and end-all. Because we also enjoy the Ashes, and we will enjoy the India series," Gould said, speaking before last week's final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's."We don't think that we've got any absolute right to be the continual host of the WTC (final), but there are advantages to having it here. Irrespective of who gets into the final, we will sell it out... We're probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that."We recognise that perhaps others would like to take it around the world at some point... But the worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don't get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly."
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"On Par With Ashes": ECB Chief Richard Gould On Test Series Between India And England
The upcoming five-match Test rubber between India and England is commercially as important as the Ashes, feels the ECB's chief executive Richard Gould, who is banking on the series to recapture the imagination of English fans after an underwhelming international summer in 2024. Last year, the country's sports fans were hooked on to the Paris Olympics and the Euro, Europe's biggest international football tournament. Empty seats at Lord's, after England's series win over Sri Lanka, did not paint a pretty picture as far as cricket was considered. This time however, Gould is optimistic of a bumper summer thanks to the widely-followed Indian team. "We know how big it is. It is a huge summer," Gould was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "Last summer, there were all sorts of things happening all over the place, weren't there? "I think that is one of the great things about a five-Test series: it is a proper long-read; it's something that people can get really into. There will be subplots, and sub-subplots. There will be all sorts of issues over that six-week period," Gould added. Big names such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin may have retired from Test cricket in the last six months but India's off-field dominance of the game makes any series against them comparable to the Ashes. "Certainly, in terms of commercial importance," Gould said. The series marks the beginning of a new cycle for both India and England in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC). India have not won a Test series in England since 2007, and the last time they toured in 2021-22, they drew 2-2. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) top executive is also buoyed by the resurgence of five-match Test series in recent times. "There's been lots of discussion about short formats, but Test cricket is doing quite a resurgence in its own way," he said. "Particularly with the five-Test series: we're seeing more of those than we have done for a long time." As far as hosting future finals of the WTC is concerned, Gould said England holds an advantage over other strong contenders like India as it can fill venues even for title clashes involving neutral teams. "The WTC, for us, is not the be-all and end-all. Because we also enjoy the Ashes and we will enjoy the India series," Gould said, speaking before last week's final before Australia and South Africa at Lord's. Last week's WTC final was the third in a row staged in England, and later this summer the ICC is likely to confirm that England will retain hosting rights despite interest from India. "We don't think that we've got any absolute right to be the continual host of the WTC (final), but there are advantages to having it here. Irrespective of who gets into the final, we will sell it out... We're probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that. "We recognise that perhaps others would like to take it around the world at some point... But the worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don't get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly."
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
India Test series as important as the Ashes to England, claims ECB chief
The upcoming England v India Test series is just as important financially as the Ashes, according to ECB boss Richard Gould. Headingley plays host to the first of five test matches against visiting India, starting on Friday, 20 June. And, it has been revealed that based on commercial metrics alone, this series is the equal to the famous Ashes battles against Australia. The English Cricket Board's CEO told ESPN Cricinfo that India's off-field dominance of the global game means 'in terms of commercial importance' that the series sits on a par with the Ashes for the ECB. He added: "I think that is one of the great things about a five-Test series: it is a proper long-read; it's something that people can get really into. There will be subplots and sub-subplots. There will be all sorts of issues over that six-week period." After beating Zimbabwe in a mismatched Test and swatting aside a disappointing West Indies side in the white ball game, the first big challenge of the summer now comes for New Zealander Brendon McCullum 's side. Gould said: "The most important thing is to make sure that we've got competitive tours and tournaments, and that's not always possible.' At Trent Bridge, England dispatched Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs, with centuries for Ben Duckett, Zac Crawley, and Ollie Pope, before Shoaib Bashir led the bowling figures with nine wickets in the match. "There's been lots of discussion about short formats, but Test cricket is doing quite a resurgence in its own way,' Gould added. 'Particularly with the five-Test series: we're seeing more of those than we have done for a long time.' While Jofra Archer remains absent for the opening test, Chris Woakes and one-time capped Jamie Overton return to the England squad as India begin their tour this week.
News18
17-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
ECB CEO: 'Series Vs India On Par With Ashes In Terms Of Commercial Importance'
Last Updated: The upcoming India-England Test series is as commercially significant as the Ashes, says ECB chief Richard Gould. The upcoming five-match Test series between India and England holds commercial significance comparable to the Ashes, according to ECB chief executive officer Richard Gould. He is hopeful that the series will reignite the interest of English fans after a lacklustre international summer in 2024. Last year, sports enthusiasts in England were captivated by the Paris Olympics and the Euro, Europe's premier football tournament. The sight of empty seats at Lord's following England's series win over Sri Lanka was disheartening for cricket. However, Gould is optimistic about a successful summer, thanks to the popularity of the Indian team. 'We know how big it is. It is a huge summer," Gould was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 'Last summer, there were all sorts of things happening all over the place, weren't there? 'I think that is one of the great things about a five-Test series: it is a proper long-read; it's something that people can get really into. There will be subplots, and sub-subplots. There will be all sorts of issues over that six-week period," Gould added. Though stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin may have retired from Test cricket recently, India's significant presence in the sport ensures any series involving them rivals the Ashes in commercial importance. 'Certainly, in terms of commercial importance," Gould said. The series also marks the start of a new cycle for both India and England in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC). India has not clinched a Test series win in England since 2007, and their last tour in 2021-22 ended in a 2-2 draw. Gould is also enthusiastic about the resurgence of five-match Test series. 'There's been lots of discussion about short formats, but Test cricket is doing quite a resurgence in its own way," he said. 'Particularly with the five-Test series: we're seeing more of those than we have done for a long time." Regarding future WTC finals, Gould believes England has an edge over other contenders like India since it can attract crowds even for matches involving neutral teams. 'The WTC, for us, is not the be-all and end-all. Because we also enjoy the Ashes and we will enjoy the India series," Gould said, ahead of last week's final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's. The recent WTC final was the third consecutive one held in England, and the ICC is likely to confirm that England will continue to host future finals despite interest from India. 'We don't think that we've got any absolute right to be the continual host of the WTC (final), but there are advantages to having it here. Irrespective of who gets into the final, we will sell it out… We're probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that. 'We recognise that perhaps others would like to take it around the world at some point… But the worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don't get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly." (With inputs from PTI) First Published: June 17, 2025, 20:08 IST
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First Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
India series as big as Ashes: ECB Chief Richard Gould on blockbuster Test summer
ECB chief executive Richard Gould has compared the upcoming India vs England five-Test series to the Ashes in terms of commercial value. The first Test match between India and England will start on 20 June in Leeds. read more The last Test series between India and England ended in a draw. Image: Reuters London: The upcoming five-match Test rubber between India and England is commercially as important as the Ashes, feels the ECB's chief executive Richard Gould, who is banking on the series to recapture the imagination of English fans after an underwhelming international summer in 2024. Last year, the country's sports fans were hooked on the Paris Olympics and the Euro, Europe's biggest international football tournament. Empty seats at Lord's, after England's series win over Sri Lanka, did not paint a pretty picture as far as cricket was concerned. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This time, however, Gould is optimistic of a bumper summer thanks to the widely-followed Indian team. 'We know how big it is. It is a huge summer,' Gould was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 'Last summer, there were all sorts of things happening all over the place, weren't there? 'I think that is one of the great things about a five-Test series: it is a proper long read; it's something that people can get really into. There will be subplots and sub-subplots. There will be all sorts of issues over that six-week period,' Gould added. Big names such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin may have retired from Test cricket in the last six months but India's off-field dominance of the game makes any series against them comparable to the Ashes. 'Certainly, in terms of commercial importance,' Gould said. The series marks the beginning of a new cycle for both India and England in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC). India have not won a Test series in England since 2007, and the last time they toured in 2021-22, they drew 2-2. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) top executive is also buoyed by the resurgence of the five-match Test series in recent times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'There's been lots of discussion about short formats, but Test cricket is doing quite a resurgence in its own way,' he said. 'Particularly with the five-Test series: we're seeing more of those than we have done for a long time.' As far as hosting future finals of the WTC is concerned, Gould said England holds an advantage over other strong contenders like India as it can fill venues even for title clashes involving neutral teams. 'The WTC, for us, is not the be-all and end-all. Because we also enjoy the Ashes and we will enjoy the India series,' Gould said, speaking before last week's final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's. Last week's WTC final was the third in a row staged in England, and later this summer the ICC is likely to confirm that England will retain hosting rights despite interest from India. 'We don't think that we've got any absolute right to be the continual host of the WTC (final), but there are advantages to having it here. Irrespective of who gets into the final, we will sell it out… We're probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We recognise that perhaps others would like to take it around the world at some point… But the worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don't get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly.'
