'South Africa, Pakistan have been marginalised': Ali Bacher criticises dominance of India in world cricket

[FearlessRoar]

The trio of India, Australia, and England has historically wielded considerable power in world cricket.

Ali Bacher, the former president of Cricket South Africa, played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of commercialization in cricket broadcasting. However, Bacher is critical of the apparent dominance of only three boards – India, Australia, and England – in shaping the international cricket calendar. These boards, known for their influence, often make decisions that impact the cricketing landscape.

The trio of India, Australia, and England has historically wielded considerable power, dictating terms and schedules that significantly impact the global cricketing calendar. While Bacher acknowledges his transformative role in bringing South African cricket into the mainstream post-apartheid, he expresses concern about the marginalization of other cricket boards. The notion of complete hegemony by a select few is something that Bacher finds disconcerting.

"When I was the chairman of ICC's development committee, my objective was to spread the game. It's not happening today. Cricket today is dominated by India, Australia, England. South Africa has been marginalised, Pakistan has been marginalised, West Indies has been marginalised. That's not good," Bacher, now 81, told PTI on the sidelines of India and South Africa opening Test in Centurion.

"You need to grow the game. The problem is that finance of world cricket is dominated by India and 70 per cent of world cricket money comes through India from whatever direction. I would like to see development of smaller nations, that was my profound passion," he said.

Furthermore, Bacher was also critical of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) plans to promote cricket in the United States. The initial steps towards the same included granting co-hosting rights for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the country. Additionally, efforts are underway to have cricket as part of the sports lineup for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with the sport being considered for inclusion by the Local Organising Committee.

Bacher's skepticism may stem from the inherent challenges and complexities associated with popularizing cricket in a nation where the sport has traditionally held a niche status.

"You need billions and billions of dollars to get a small niche of that (USA) market. To be honest, I called it a day after two occasions. It wasn't going to happen. The way it should happen is, growth of cricket should be in Asia. There is enormous potential. Not in the USA as its far too expensive," he reasoned.

Source: HT

 

[Rana]

The only ones that have been marginalised is Pakistan

The others are too dumb to make the best of their financial resources.

 

[Bewal Express]

The trio of India, Australia, and England has historically wielded considerable power in world cricket.

Ali Bacher, the former president of Cricket South Africa, played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of commercialization in cricket broadcasting. However, Bacher is critical of the apparent dominance of only three boards – India, Australia, and England – in shaping the international cricket calendar. These boards, known for their influence, often make decisions that impact the cricketing landscape.

The trio of India, Australia, and England has historically wielded considerable power, dictating terms and schedules that significantly impact the global cricketing calendar. While Bacher acknowledges his transformative role in bringing South African cricket into the mainstream post-apartheid, he expresses concern about the marginalization of other cricket boards. The notion of complete hegemony by a select few is something that Bacher finds disconcerting.

"When I was the chairman of ICC's development committee, my objective was to spread the game. It's not happening today. Cricket today is dominated by India, Australia, England. South Africa has been marginalised, Pakistan has been marginalised, West Indies has been marginalised. That's not good," Bacher, now 81, told PTI on the sidelines of India and South Africa opening Test in Centurion.

"You need to grow the game. The problem is that finance of world cricket is dominated by India and 70 per cent of world cricket money comes through India from whatever direction. I would like to see development of smaller nations, that was my profound passion," he said.

Furthermore, Bacher was also critical of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) plans to promote cricket in the United States. The initial steps towards the same included granting co-hosting rights for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the country. Additionally, efforts are underway to have cricket as part of the sports lineup for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with the sport being considered for inclusion by the Local Organising Committee.

Bacher's skepticism may stem from the inherent challenges and complexities associated with popularizing cricket in a nation where the sport has traditionally held a niche status.

"You need billions and billions of dollars to get a small niche of that (USA) market. To be honest, I called it a day after two occasions. It wasn't going to happen. The way it should happen is, growth of cricket should be in Asia. There is enormous potential. Not in the USA as its far too expensive," he reasoned.

Source: HT

Absolutely right about USA market. Total waste of money that will make no impact on anybody that isn't from a SC diaspora. Cricket needs investment in SA, Zimbabwe, Afg and not forgetting the West Indies. Work with local govts and spend money on facilities and promotion in school. Zimbabwe is on its last legs and unless drastic action is taken it will be gone soon. Afg needs facilities and as the passion is already there, no need for gimmicks. West Indies need better pitches, and that's where the money should go and SA is still heavily reliant on White Private school kids that are mostly from Rugby schools. A huge effort needs to be made to diversify into a huge black market but besides a few gimmicks, very few inroads have been made. The black players that have made it come mainly from the same white Private schools

 

[JaDed]

Absolutely right about USA market. Total waste of money that will make no impact on anybody that isn't from a SC diaspora. Cricket needs investment in SA, Zimbabwe, Afg and not forgetting the West Indies. Work with local govts and spend money on facilities and promotion in school. Zimbabwe is on its last legs and unless drastic action is taken it will be gone soon. Afg needs facilities and as the passion is already there, no need for gimmicks. West Indies need better pitches, and that's where the money should go and SA is still heavily reliant on White Private school kids that are mostly from Rugby schools. A huge effort needs to be made to diversify into a huge black market but besides a few gimmicks, very few inroads have been made. The black players that have made it come mainly from the same white Private schools

I completely disagree, USA is a huge market almost every major city has local club cricket with expats but in huge numbers.
From Carribbean to Desis , it’s full of cricket which is played at local level unlike Zim anymore.

 

[Bewal Express]

I completely disagree, USA is a huge market almost every major city has local club cricket with expats but in huge numbers.
From Carribbean to Desis , it’s full of cricket which is played at local level unlike Zim anymore.

Ex pats market is the iceing on the cake, it will never be any bigger than it is. And if the market does exist the ICC don't need to invest, enough locals will take the risks

 

[latecut]

Is it India's fault that bulk of cricket revenue comes from India ? What are other countries doing ? Why other cricket playing countries cannot fund their own cricket ? Do football playing nations depend upon Brazilian market to support football in other countries ? If cricket playing nations cannot fund their own cricket then cricket should die.