ICC Future Tours Program conforms to guidelines provided by players' representatives

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today refuted suggestions that the new Future Tours Program (FTP) does not conform to guidelines provided by players' representatives.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the new FTP fitted into the guidelines provided by players and their representatives, including FICA, regarding the volume and scheduling of international cricket.

"The guidelines, which have been supported at the ICC Cricket Committee, by the players at the captains' meeting and by player representatives, including FICA, suggest the volume of cricket for national teams should not exceed 15 Test matches and 30 ODIs in a 12 month period," said Mr Speed.

"These guidelines need to be interpreted with a reasonable degree of flexibility from year to year but a review of the overall playing programme for our 10 Full Members shows teams rarely come close to this limit. Out of the sixty annual touring programs under the FTP, not one side is scheduled to exceed both the Test and ODI figures in any 12-month period and the balance of commitments becomes even more apparent when it is averaged out over the years.

- Includes ICC events and Asia Cup but not semi-finals and final of ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Cricket World Cup

- Twenty20 cricket not included but FTP restricts teams to maximum of three home matches per season

"In developing this FTP the ICC has sought regular input from players' representatives, including FICA. In addition our Members attend ICC meetings as representatives of the sport in their countries and, as part of this, undertake to consult with their own players and their representatives on issues that impact directly upon them," added Mr Speed.

ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson, explained the details of the new schedule that will come into force from May 2006.

"The new FTP requires the 10 ICC Full Member countries to play home and away series against each other during the six-year time frame," said Mr Richardson.

"These series must be at least two Test matches and three ODIs which equates to a minimum commitment of 36 Test matches and 54 ODIs over six years.

"Obviously there are the ICC events to slot in there as well but even if a side makes the final of all three ICC Champions Trophy events and both ICC Cricket World Cups that would still only raise the number of ODIs played to 91.

"The fact is, however, that everyone in the sport wants to see more international cricket than this bare minimum. International matches raise essential revenue for the Boards, provide significant income for the players and excitement for supporters.

"One of the main reasons the original FTP was introduced was to ensure regular cricket for all Full Members, many of whom had never previously had any certainty in their forward planning.

"What this new FTP does is maintain the guarantee of a regular schedule while allowing members to modify their program to meet specific requirements they may have.

"Most of the Members' schedules fall well short of the guidelines set by the players' representatives of 15 Test matches and 30 ODIs per 12 month period from the start of May to the end of April each year.

"Several of our Members, including some of those where the players' association is affiliated to FICA, maintain the view that they would like to be playing more cricket than they currently have scheduled.

"On the flip side, India, which has more ODI matches scheduled than any other country, indicated at the recent ICC Board meeting that their playing schedule was supported by their player group.

"When we canvassed the views of the Full Member captains at our Captains' Meeting, we found that as well as those who supported the current guidelines, there were some that wanted to play more international cricket.

"Overall we think the balance that has been struck by this new FTP is about right and we believe that in conjunction with the ICC events it will help ensure that the sport continues to remain popular with players, supporters, broadcasters and sponsors.

"It is now up to our Members to responsibly manage their calendar of international cricket beyond the mandatory commitments of the FTP and ICC events," added Mr Richardson.

At the same time as adopting the new FTP at its meeting in Dubai in March, the ICC Board committed to setting up a new committee to look ahead to the cycle that will follow the coming six years. In its deliberations this committee will consider the equity and fairness of the FTP and the financial formulae that underpin the model before forwarding its views for the Board's consideration.

The ICC is committed to involving players in its decision-making processes through annual meetings with the captains of the Full Member countries and the ICC Cricket Committee. The latter is chaired by Sunil Gavaskar and comprises 12 members with former international experience, half of whom are nominated by current players. It meets annually to make recommendations on playing issues.

The final details of the six-year FTP will now be updated and forwarded to the Members before publication.