Dale Steyn wears his heart on his sleeve. He is respectful, genial and humble, yet has that white-line fever that all great fast bowlers own. It is that fierce competitiveness gladiators must possess to remain at the top.
Steyn, a former Royal Challengers player, apologised for his recent comments on the IPL (Indian Premier League). He had said: “I think when you go to the IPL, there are such big squads, so many big names and so much emphasis on the amount of money players earn, so sometimes somewhere down the line cricket gets forgotten. I have found that playing in other leagues was slightly more rewarding as a player.”
It is the view from the heart of a cricketer committed to the game. Profit and cricket are not easy bedfellows. Steyn had merely framed the modern game.
The cricket market follows the economic law of supply and demand. For players who have the unique all-round ability to change the course of matches single handed, there is no limit. Chris Morris’s IPL R32m revelation demonstrates that clearly — good luck to him.
Ironically, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) had to be cajoled into joining the first ICC WT20 event held in SA — they won the final, defeating their archrivals Pakistan. It went from a fun, flirtatious cricket party to a much sought-after format of the game. The format increased the fan and player bases and became a profitable gem.
The BCCI have SA to thank for their financial position. In 1991, SA was hastily invited to play three ODIs against India after Pakistan had withdrawn for political reasons. The Proteas, captained by Clive Rice, had one week to prepare for their first match at Eden Gardens, Calcutta. Administrator Joe Pamensky was surprised that his ticket read “India vs Pakistan”. When he inquired as to the reason, he was told the BCCI did not have the money to reprint them!
SA cricket, just before the first ODI, introduced the BCCI to the financial power of broadcasting rights. Ali Bacher, CEO of the then United Cricket Board, was determined that South Africans at home could watch the inaugural international series after being welcomed back into the International fold.
Panasonic willingly paid R250,000 for the broadcasting rights in SA. The BCCI was aghast when Bacher told them as they had never been paid one rupee for the broadcast rights for any of their international or domestic matches! Needless to say, 30 years later, India stand at the financial pinnacle of the game.
I understand Dale Steyn’s comments. I have been privileged to have watched two IPL matches while on ICC duty. I lasted eight overs in both matches. The cacophony was deafening, the combination of loud music and the roar of the crowds. It was an amazing spectacle, but too much for me. I am happier watching on TV.
It is compelling viewing as many of the best global players are performing and the local up-and-coming players showcase their skill and temperament in the IPL pressure cooker. Those who perform consistently become international players.
The product life cycle of cricket is confusing. Test cricket is on the decline, ODI cricket has reached maturity and T20 cricket is in the growth phase.
The Big Three (India, England and Australia) remain cricket’s aristocracy. They orchestrated a larger slice of the financial pie and their control in the ICC is absolute. The ICC events’ revenue, as well as the broadcast rights for the in-coming tours by India, invariably make or break the other country’s budget and viability.
The ICC executive have to roll with the punches and the dictates of the Big Three as they try to guide the game into safer waters. Test cricket remains under threat as only the iconic Test series create excitement; most Tests financially drain the coffers. Strategic decisions have to be made. The ICC Test Championship provides a glimmer of what the future might hold.
There is no easy fix.
Entry into Olympics looks exciting and remains an option to increase the reach of the game into new markets such as China and the US. That would push T20 — or perhaps T10 cricket, heaven forbid — into a steeper growth phase.
The game has undergone huge change in the past 30 years. Like most businesses there is little time for consolidation when the surge in revenue is astronomical. In cricket though, except for the Big Three, little is trickling down to the bottom line. Covid has given the ICC board time for reflection to sift through better alternatives to ensure the sustainability of all three formats.
We await their Covid response.
• Van der Bijl played first-class cricket for Natal, Transvaal and Middlesex for 14 years, was chosen to represent SA for the cancelled tour of Australia in 1971 and was ICC match officials global manager from 2008 to 2015.
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