The T20 World Cup is poised to surpass the 50-over World Cup as the most significant ICC event for players worldwide, based on recent survey data obtained by ESPNcricinfo. The World Cricketers Association (WCA), previously known as FICA, conducts regular surveys among hundreds of players globally. Over the past five years, there has been a notable increase in the number of players who view the T20 World Cup as the primary ICC event, particularly among younger players.
In 2019, 85% of respondents considered the 50-over World Cup the most important ICC event, while only 15% chose the T20 World Cup. However, in 2024, these numbers shifted significantly, with 50% selecting the 50-over World Cup, 35% preferring the T20 World Cup, and 15% opting for the World Test Championship.
For players under the age of 26, the change was even more pronounced. In 2019, 86% favored the 50-over World Cup, compared to 14% for the T20 World Cup. By 2024, only 49% chose the 50-over World Cup, with 41% selecting the T20 World Cup and 10% favoring the World Test Championship.
The shift reflects a broader trend in the game beyond ICC events. Five years ago, 82% of players prioritized Test cricket, while 11% favored T20. This year, only 48% of players opted for Test cricket, with 30% favoring T20.
The WCA conducted the survey with around 330 professional players from 13 countries, mostly current internationals, although there was a higher proportion of female respondents in 2024. The WCA maintains that the trends observed are consistent when looking at responses from male players.
Players from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are not represented by the WCA as they are not unionized. Nonetheless, survey responses come from players in other major nations such as Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and West Indies.
Tom Moffat, the WCA’s chief executive, attended the T20 World Cup group stages in New York and Barbados to meet with players. Moffat emphasized that the global player survey data reaffirms the shift towards T20 cricket in player preferences.
The WCA plans to host scheduling symposiums in August and September and believes that player input is crucial in addressing the sport’s challenges. Moffat highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to structure the international cricket calendar effectively, rather than competing with domestic T20 leagues.
The WCA and the ICC recently revised players’ squad terms for the next four years of ICC events, including commercial and image rights. A new collective model was agreed upon before the T20 World Cup, following extensive negotiations. The WCA anticipates that this updated model will benefit players from smaller nations.
