Mens high performance review report

SEPTEMBER 2022 NEXT STEPS The recommendations laid out in this document are our perspective on the best path forward to deliver a period of sustained high-performance success for England men’s cricket and the domestic game in England and Wales. We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this review. Most importantly to the fans, players and staff from across the FCCs, PCA and the ECB who have taken the time to feedback thoughts and perspectives on our ideas. Thank you in particular to the FCC Chairs, CEOs and Directors of Cricket who have been part of our working and advisory groups. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Most of the recommendations in this report (1-9 and 12-17) are areas that have received broad support from the game to date and are within the remit of the ECB to execute. We understand that the ECB Board and Executive are unanimous in their support of these recommendations and it is now for them to execute. We encourage the ECB to work closely with the FCCs and PCA as they develop a plan to execute against them. The recommendations that address the structure of the domestic game (Recommendations 10 and 11) are for the FCCs to determine. This is because, under the ECB’s constitution, any change to the number of domestic competitions, matches in each competition and promotion / relegation requires the support of two-thirds or more of FCCs. We recognise that there is a great deal of sensitivity around the appropriate structure for the domestic schedule and that there is no perfect solution given the many valid considerations and viewpoints across the network. For various reasons, any material changes for the 2023 season would have to be made by the end of September 2022. However, the FCCs have already requested that there is no change to the domestic schedule in 2023 to allow for sufficient time to reflect and debate our recommendations. We understand that the ECB have agreed to continue to consult with the FCCs on the structure for 2024 and beyond with a view to making a final decision by the end of November 2022. This will allow all FCCs complete clarity heading into the 2023 season as to what the structure is that they will be playing for in 2024. We look forward to the game coming together and being bold in the face of a rapidly changing landscape, and firmly believe that we have the opportunity to achieve remarkable success on the field and usher in an era of dominance for English cricket. HIGH-PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF MEN’S CRICKET IN ENGLAND AND WALES 36