The dominance of cricket’s Big Three – India, Australia, and England – is now drawing criticism from some of the sport’s most respected former players, raising concerns about their control over the sport’s finances and influence.
On the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd expressed their frustration over the current state of international cricket, criticising how the Big Three continue to control the sport’s direction.
Brian Lara believes the influence of money has driven players to leave international cricket and chase lucrative contracts in franchise leagues. David Lloyd added, “The Big-Three, that can’t be alright that they take all the money. They get the big broadcast deals, you’ve got to have a more even distribution to allow West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka to compete.”
The growing popularity of franchise leagues has caused many cricketers to retire early from international cricket to focus on financially rewarding opportunities around the world. The West Indies have been among the hardest hit, with their on-field performances suffering as a result.
Alastair Cook shared his disappointment about what frustrates him most in modern cricket, saying, “That playing for your country isn’t the biggest thing,” Cook said. “And I don’t blame the players, I just think there’s got to be a way of keeping the international cricket (fair through equal money).”
Michael Vaughan also criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not splitting its revenue more fairly. “The thing that annoys me most about the game is that the pie is not split right,” he said. “Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, they have to get more so they can pay their players and keep them playing international cricket.”
According to reports, the Big Three receive over 50 percent of the ICC’s total revenue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alone takes home around 38.4 percent of the $600 million share, while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia get 6.89 percent and 6.25 percent, respectively. Critics say this uneven distribution allows these countries to control the global calendar and leaves other boards struggling to retain talent.
The financial gap has pushed many players from smaller nations to prioritise franchise cricket, which offers far more security and income than representing their country. The West Indies, in particular, have seen a sharp drop in performance as several top players turn away from national duty.
Despite the growing calls for reform, the Big Three remain firmly in control of the sport’s direction.
