The Business of Cricket by cricexec

Tim Wigmore, Deputy Cricket Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, is a highly celebrated English journalist and author. 

He has co-authored several best-selling cricket books, including Cricket 2.0, which was Wisden’s book of the year in 2020.

Tim joined us on our podcast to talk about the state of cricket in general and English cricket in particular, how he hones his craft, and his process for writing books alone or with a collaborator.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

"The Labor Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“With all their faults, trade unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed.” – Clarence Darrow

Many cricketing nations have domestic professional players’ associations, such as the PCA in England and Wales, the ACA in Australia, the WIPA for West Indies cricketers.

The newly-rebranded World Cricketers’ Association (formerly FICA) was formed in 1998 to coordinate amongst these groups and also to represent all players in global forums on issues that cut across national boundaries.

But as is often the case whenever workers self-organize, throughout the history of cricket’s labor movement, players have faced resistance and opposition from powerful interests. This even continues today in cricketing countries without players’ associations. 

On this episode, Tom Moffat, CEO of the WCA joins us for a fascinating chat about his organization, the varying climate for players in different parts of the world, and some of the key issues on concerning players’ associations today, including: 

- The need for global scheduling windows

- Cricket’s multi-employer system

- Ownership consolidation in cricket (i.e. IPL teams)

- Women’s cricket

And much more

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

Lord’s Taverners is one of the most prominent cricket charities in the world. 

Membership is by invitation only and the 5,000 members include prominent sports, entertainment and society figures such as Sir Michael Parkinson, Sir Alastair Cook, Sir Andrew Strauss, Greg James, Miles Jupp, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Jonathan Agnew and Mike Gatting. King Charles served as President in 1975.

Yet there is much more to the Taverners than a list of famous members. 

On our episode, we’re joined by Chief Executive Mark Curtin and we delve into the history and the incredible work of the Lord’s Taverners. 

Mark shares his insights on the charity’s mission to use cricket as a tool to empower disadvantaged and disabled young people across the UK.

We discuss:

• The history and core values of the Lord’s Taverners
• How the charity uses cricket to tackle social mobility and disability issues
• The impact of the Lord’s Taverners on young people’s lives
• Upcoming fundraising initiatives and how you can get involved
• International affiliates and membership

This episode is a must-listen for cricket fans passionate about giving back or anyone interested in the power of cricket – and sport in general – to create social change

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

Cricket is a high pressure sport and environment. Fans don’t see it, but many cricketers experience anxiety, depression, stress and its side effects. Until recently, they mostly suffered in silence, but on a positive note, the culture has been changing.

On the first episode of our newly-launched business of cricket podcast, we wanted to focus on this critical issue. So our guest is Simon Cusden — a former England cricketer.

Cusden played for Kent County Cricket Club (2004-2006) and Derbyshire (2007), with a total of seven first-class and six List A matches. He represented England Under-19s in 2002-2003 and was the top wicket-taker against Bangladesh in 2004. Cusden, who battled addiction throughout his career, experienced a major mental health crisis after retiring, but got through it thanks to the cricket establishment. 

With the backing of England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association (the PCA) as well as its charity for supporting former cricketers, the Professional Cricketers’ Trust (previously known as the PCA Benevolent Trust), Cusden went to rehab and recovered. 

Now eight years sober, Simon is a coach who helps athletes as well as other professionals and executives functioning in high-pressure environments. He spoke to us about his own journey, as well as the evolving awareness about mental health issues in sports in general and cricket in particular.