- The average age of a cricket fan is 34 years
- 39% of fans are women and girls
- More than 300 million participants
- ICC to use research findings to guide strategic direction and to grow the game
- Videos of ICC Chief Executive David Richardson and ICC Head of Media Rights, Broadcast and Digital Aarti Dabas available for download from the Online Media Zone
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the results of the largest ever market research project into the sport which reveals cricket has over one billion fans (in the surveyed age category of 16-69) globally, the average age of which is 34 with a demographic breakdown of 61% male and 39% female.
The research was undertaken to enable the ICC and its Members to understand the growth potential of cricket, help shape the development of the growth focused global strategy for the game, drive decision making and to provide a benchmark upon which to measure the outcomes of the strategy. It also supports the ICC and its Members in shaping and implementing their fan engagement strategies and clearly presents cricket as a vibrant and popular sport globally.
The breakdown of cricket’s three different formats in the research showed two-thirds of fans over the age of 16 who were interviewed are interested in all three international formats of the game. The importance and popularity of ICC global events was evident with 95% of fans interested or very interested, with the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World T20 the most popular.
Close to 70% fans are interested in Test cricket with fans in England & Wales showing the strongest interest in this format (86%), South Africa lead the interest in ODI cricket (91%) and Pakistan in T20I cricket (98%). Globally, T20I is the most popular format with 92% interest whilst ODIs are close with 88% interest.
The research highlighted that cricket has a significant growth potential in both traditional and non-traditional markets. The ICC will use the insight to guide decision-making and its approach to growing fans and participants in cricket. The research study also identified more than 300 million active participants over the age of 16, ranging from occasional social players to the elite level; this number is likely to grow significantly if under 16s are counted. These participants highlighted the fun and sociability of the sport as well as the health benefits.
12-man squad to face Banglaesh in 2 day warm up match
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Alzarri Joseph is set to test his return as part of a 12-man squad to face Banagladesh in a two-day encounter at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, starting this Thursday (June 28).
Joseph is recovering from a stress fracture injury sustained last year in New Zealand. Since April he has been involved in an intense program focused on bowling and strength and conditioning. He also played in an Antigua-based T20 competition last month.
The rest of the squad reads:
Shamarh Brooks – Captain
John Campbell
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Jahmar Hamilton
Shimron Hetmyer
Alzarri Joseph
Keon Harding
Shayne Moseley
Gudakesh Motie
Romario Shepherd
Vishaul Singh
Odean Smith
Support Staff
Graeme West – Head Coach
Sir Curtly Ambrose – Assistant Coach
Physio – Dr Oba Gulston
William Richards – Strength and Conditioning
West Indies lead calls to protect small Test nations - and save future of game
A new report by the West Indies advocates money from the International Cricket Council being allocated more equitably between countries, broadcasting rights being pooled, away teams receiving a share of home broadcasting rights for series and major global events being shared between more countries.
The proposals are formally on the agenda at the ICC Annual Conference in Dublin, which begins on Thursday. "There has never been more money in the sport," West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave told The Daily Telegraph.
"The game must adopt more equitable revenue sharing to ensure that cricket is sustainable in all countries, that the game grows throughout the world and that there is a competitive balance among teams to generate interest among fans.”
The report also claims that the structure of international cricket is "loaded in favour of wealthier nations". It warns that if steps are not taken to help the sport in other countries, nations from beyond Australia, England and India - the ‘Big Three’ - will become weaker, matches will lose competitive balance and the appeal of international cricket will dwindle.
read more at the The Daily Telegraph