
Cricket authorities in England oblivious to horrors they are condoning
Reading my Telegraph Sport colleague Tim Wigmore's new and authoritative book Test Cricket: A History was an ideal psychological preparation for the new Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.
He stresses that there have always been unsavoury aspects to what he several times calls the 'brutal' game of Test cricket. They were there right from the late Victorian period: cheating, gamesmanship, financial greed, racism, classism and, where some of the poor professionals were concerned, a philosophy of the devil taking the hindmost.
A few Test cricketers became, and remain, legendary, and reaped the profits of that even in eras before the modern obsession with money: Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Bradman, Compton, Sobers and Gavaskar. Many others wound down their lives in obscurity, relentless toil and an overdose of memories, and some ends were tragic.
These themes are all too visible in the 2025 Wisden, especially when one reads memories of poor Graham Thorpe; though the accusations of sharp practice these days are more focused on the people who run the game rather than those who play it.
Wigmore refers candidly to the main commercial developments in world cricket that have pushed the once-dominant form of the game increasingly to the margins, but avoids extremes of optimism or pessimism.
Lawrence Booth, Wisden 's editor, does not equivocate, and as such reminds us that someone trying to write a history of Test cricket in a quarter-century's time may merely have to write a sad concluding chapter to Wigmore's book.
Booth refers to the recent translation of Jay Shah from running the BCCI – India's national governing body – to running the ICC as demonstrating that 'cricket gave up any claim to being properly administered' when it happened.
Some of us have been highlighting cricket's moral decline for years, and it may be too late to reverse it now. Modern cricket, thanks to the dominant influence of T20 and its ruthless projection and promotion by commercial forces in India, now works relentlessly against the interests of Test cricket.
This could not matter less to those to whom cricket is plainly and simply a means of generating wealth. And those people, as Booth points out, now run world cricket, and run it to serve their interests. And for the moment, that means responding to an insatiable demand for T20, whatever the side effects.
Wigmore tells the story of a game that for most of its history was run by white men, many of them public school and Oxbridge-educated, and members of MCC. He sensibly avoids the absurdities of what twisted academics call 'decolonising' the subject of Test cricket.
In the 1870s the societies in which first-class cricket – the natural breeding-ground for Test cricketers – had been developed were England and Australia, their cultural affinities taking them in lock-step. It was natural that they should lead the development of the game; and natural that another territory with a large community of people of British heritage, what became the Union of South Africa, should become the third partner in international contests.
Along the way there was evidence of racism; indigenous Australians, however good they were, were not picked for their country; Lord Harris may or may not have been responsible for stopping Ranjitsinhji from playing for England sooner than he did; no black man captained the West Indies until Frank Worrell in 1960, more than 30 years after they joined the Test circuit; and of course much of world cricket, including MCC, tolerated the Apartheid policies of South Africa until the break finally came in the 1970s.
Now, the boot is on the other foot: the old imperial masters are out, and those from the jewel in the crown of the former empire now dictate terms. Jay Shah's father, Booth notes, is 'the second most powerful politician in India', which helps explain much about the motive forces behind cricket not just in that country, but, now, around a world where India runs the game.
Booth derides the ICC as having become merely 'an events company', with a 'craven' attitude to international fixtures arranged entirely to suit India. He calls the World Test Championship 'a shambles masquerading as a showpiece'. Its next final is to be played at Lord's in June, between South Africa and Australia, and the shambles element concerns the unequal paths the two sides have taken to Lord's. Australia have played tough opponents in long series; South Africa easier ones in shorter series, while many of its players have pursued the numerous T20 franchises around the world that are India's gift to the modern game.
Wisden takes a remarkably charitable view of another franchise that, incomprehensibly, businessmen seem hungry to invest in: The Hundred. Has anyone outside Britain shown the slightest interest in buying a Hundred franchise for their country? No, because they already have T20, and dozens of them. Happily, it is nobody's problem but the England and Wales Cricket Board's. They are welcome to it.
Booth is right to turn a fierce spotlight on Shah. He could redistribute money to poorer countries struggling to stay in Test cricket, but without a coherent international marketing plan, and the revival of first-class cricket in those countries, it will not work. But what will especially make it fail is those controlling international cricket allowing T20 to dominate schedules and have first call on the pool of top players. As some of us have written until we are blue in the face, this will never be resolved until T20 is entirely separated from first-class cricket, and Test cricket.
If Shah does not grasp that problem there will be no need for any more histories of Test cricket, and the next few Wisdens will have plenty more to object to. Meanwhile, the main cricket authorities in this country seem oblivious to the horrors they are condoning.
They will one day learn, the hard way, that in a business – as opposed to a game – the complicity of stupid people seldom brings rewards.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South Wales Guardian
7 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations
The 2021 US Open champion, who suffered a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, has been hindered by persistent spasming for much of 2025. She is set to play at Queens this week, with grand slam action at the All England Club scheduled to start on Monday, June 30. 'I got back (from Paris) last week and then I got straight back on the court,' Raducanu told a press conference. 'I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep. But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass. 'I can't really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it's something that comes and goes. 'It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what's in front of me 'Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can't say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today.' British number two Raducanu, who is ranked 41st in the world, was dismantled 6-1 6-2 by reigning champion Swiatek at Roland Garros. Subject to overcoming a qualifier, she could face current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round at Queens, while she is set to pair up with British number one Katie Boulter in the doubles. 'Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive,' the 22-year-old said. 'I really like playing with Katie. We've practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties.'


Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss
He insisted that Scotland are still massive favourites against his 205th-ranked minnows KEEP IT UP KEEP IT UP 'I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIECHTENSTEIN boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off suggestions Scotland have a goalkeeper crisis and said: 'I wish I had those kinds of problems!' Scotland face the tiny Alpine nation — ranked 205th in the world — in a friendly in Vaduz tomorrow night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Liechtenstein boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off Scotland's injury crisis in goal Credit: PA 3 Angus Gunn went off after just six minutes in Friday's defeat to Iceland Credit: PA 3 Robby McCrorie was injured in the warmup and joins Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark and Gunn on the sidelines Credit: Ger Harley/Sportpix/Sipa USA Steve Clarke's squad in disarray after injuries to Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie. That means Celtic-bound Ross Doohan is likely to come straight in for his debut. But Funfstuck said: 'I'd love to have the problems the Scottish coach has! 'Scotland have a good goalkeeping tradition and they will have good goalkeepers in their younger years who will have big careers. 'They have very good players, a good structure and a good coach. 'We have to focus on ourselves and try to develop our football, with clear principles and ideas. That's our goal. 'Travelling back from our match in Wales we saw some of the Scottish supporters who were already on the way to Liechtenstein. 'British football, and Scottish football in particular, is special. It has undergone a huge development in the league and the national team. 'The national team has created a buzz and we have great respect for the Scottish team. 'They are extremely good and individually strong and we're looking forward to meeting them. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd 'We know the clear positioning of our side and Scotland — we are clear outsiders, the absolute underdog. 'But we showed against Wales on Friday night that it's not easy to play against us. 'We made it difficult for them and we want to try to show the same energy and power against Scotland.' Clarke's side are aiming to bounce back after the 3-1 loss to Iceland on Friday and Funfstuck — whose side went down 3-0 in Cardiff — added: 'I would have preferred that Scotland had won against Iceland, I'm honest about that. 'But Iceland have a good team with a good individual quality — Scotland against Iceland is an open match. 'It doesn't change the fact that Scotland are a very good team. 'They will have a lot of fans here and they will really want to present a spectacle for them.' The majority of Liechtenstein's players are part-timers who play in the Swiss and Austrian third and fourth tiers. Midfielder Simon Luchinger, who's just signed for Austrian Second Division side Schwarz-Weiss Bregenz, admits he'll have his own Scottish backing tonight. The 22-year-old — who'll win his 30th cap — said: 'When I was at St Francis University in Pittsburgh in the USA. I played alongside a Scottish player called Patrick Heron. 'I haven't seen him for more than three years but he is coming to the match in Vaduz so it will be great to see him. 'I love the intensity and passion of British football. We have a little more anticipation than usual about this match. 'It was a highlight for me to play in Wales and playing Scotland at home will be another positive.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Powys County Times
13 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations
Emma Raducanu felt 'pretty good' after completing her first rigorous grass-court training session of the season as she manages an ongoing back issue in the build-up to Wimbledon. The 2021 US Open champion, who suffered a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, has been hindered by persistent spasming for much of 2025. She is set to play at Queens this week, with grand slam action at the All England Club scheduled to start on Monday, June 30. 'I got back (from Paris) last week and then I got straight back on the court,' Raducanu told a press conference. 'I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep. But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass. 'I can't really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it's something that comes and goes. 'It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what's in front of me 'Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can't say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today.' British number two Raducanu, who is ranked 41st in the world, was dismantled 6-1 6-2 by reigning champion Swiatek at Roland Garros. Subject to overcoming a qualifier, she could face current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round at Queens, while she is set to pair up with British number one Katie Boulter in the doubles. 'Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive,' the 22-year-old said. 'I really like playing with Katie. We've practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties.'