According to data from the new survey viewed by Espncricinfo, the T20 World Cup is to overtake the 50 -over World Cup as a “most important” ICC event for players around the world.
The new-Rebranded World Cricketers Association (WCA), in the east, conducts regular surveys, which are broadcast to several hundred players from all over the world. In the last five years, there has been a sharp increase in ratio, which consider the T20 World Cup to be the most important ICC event, especially among young players.
In 2019, 85% of the respondents ranked the 50 over World Cup as the most important ICC event compared to 15%, who chose the T20 World Cup. In 2024, only 50% chose the 50-over World Cup as compared to 35%, who called the T20 World Cup and another 15%, who chose the World Test Championship.
For players under 26 years of age, changes are even more. In 2019, 86% chose a 50 -over World Cup as compared to 14%, who chose the T20 World Cup. In 2024, only 49% called the 50 over World Cup, while 41% chose the T20 World Cup and 10% chose the World Test Championship.
The trend is more widely reflected in sports, beyond ICC events. Five years ago, 82% of the survey respondents chose Test cricket as the most important format, while 11% chose T20. This year, only 48% of the players chose Test cricket compared to 30%, who called T20.
The WCA says the sample size for this year’s survey – which will be fully released in the year – 13 had about 330 professional players from different countries, most of whom are current international. In 2024, data is slanting from a high ratio of female respondents, but WCA says the trends are correct when separating the reactions from male players.
Players from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are among those who are not represented by the WCA because they are not composed. But survey reactions are spread among players from other major countries of cricket, including Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.
Tom Mofat, WCA Chief Executive Officer, were in New York and Barbados during the group stages of the T20 World Cup to meet the players. He told ESPNCRICINFO: “This is the men’s T20 World Cup has been a great spectacle and our latest global player survey data especially highlight the tendency in player preferences towards T20 cricket.”
The WCA will invite players to schedule seminars in August and September, and Mofat believes that if the game is serious about resolving its issues, they should be involved in collective discussions. “The rapid development in the game is exciting, but also presents the challenges of leadership in a game that traditionally come out on several global issues outside the ICC events,” he said.
“Especially scheduling is still managed on the basis of individual deals and regional interests and if you see adequately adequately, you probably find that some countries have already filled their calendar with bilateral international cricket for the best part of the next decade.
“Calendar is also filling space by looking at the domestic T20 league and becoming a favorite option for many players and investors in sports, which does not matter much.”
Mofat believes that bilateral international cricket has become very weak by schedules by boards working in their own interests and with the franchise league.
“As an industry, we either accept that there will be two parallel calendars and a divided player employment market – meaning that international cricket is not the best versus the best – or we try to come together and find a way to find a way to make sure that both landscapes can be co -existence, with a proper international calendar.
“Either way, players must collectively involve decisions on sports structure and rules that affect their careers. Drive players and invest in the success of the game, and their decisions are shaping its future.”
The WCA and ICC recently resumed the conditions of the players’ squad for the next four years of ICC events, which cover commercial and image rights. After several months of talks, there was a deal in the days after the T20 World Cup and the WCA believes that players from small countries will benefit from the new collective model.
Matt roller is an auxiliary editor in Espncricinfo. @mroller98
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