The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is assessing the feasibility of reintroducing a global T20 championship, reminiscent of the former Champions League T20 (CLT20). As short-form cricket gains traction globally, this initiative is being considered in light of recent league expansions in nations such as England, South Africa, the UAE, and the United States.
ECB Chief Executive, Richard Gould, shared with ESPNcricinfo that a worldwide club tournament could be a sensible development for modern cricket. Gould stated, “That is on the cards. Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship – for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.”
The CLT20, held from 2009 to 2014, was a collaborative effort among the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa. Despite initial broadcast success, it concluded after six seasons due to limited audience engagement. Reflecting on the inaugural event, Gould, then Somerset’s chief executive, recollects the excitement when Somerset triumphed over the IPL’s Deccan Chargers. “That tournament was ahead of its time,” he remarked, “Commercially, it couldn’t keep up with the expectations on it, but it was a really good event.”
One significant hurdle to a World Club Championship is the congested international cricket calendar. English teams missed out on the CLT20’s closing editions due to scheduling overlaps with the County Championship. For a new version to succeed, considerable cooperation from Indian franchises would be essential, given their significant investments in both domestic and international short-form leagues. IPL Chairman, Arun Dhumal, indicated openness to the idea, stating, “If it creates value for cricket at a global stage, definitely we can look at that.”
ESPNcricinfo suggests that England might enter the winners of The Hundred over the T20 Blast champions should the tournament progress. Notably, Gould’s enthusiasm for a World Club Championship contrasts his scepticism towards a proposed Saudi-backed T20 Grand Slam earlier in the year.
In the broader context, cricket continues to see various organisations exploring cross-league competitions. Last year saw Guyana’s launch of the ‘Global Super League’, featuring teams from five global leagues. The upcoming edition will include champions from Australia’s Big Bash League, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and the UAE’s ILT20, though participation remains by invitation only.
The sporting landscape, rich with potential, stands at the brink of a possible return to a global stage for club-based cricket. Time will determine if this concept materialises into a fixture on the cricketing calendar.
