The growing number of cricket leagues featuring retired international stars has drawn scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC), with its Anti-Corruption Unit Chief Andrew Ephgrave raising concerns about the regulatory uncertainty and potential reputational risks associated with these competitions.
The involvement of prominent former players has made legends leagues an increasingly visible part of cricket, but their relationship with the sport’s established regulatory system remains complicated.
Legends leagues face questions over regulatory oversight
The expansion of retired-player tournaments has presented cricket authorities with a challenge that differs from the oversight of conventional professional competitions.
Speaking in an interview with Cricinfo, ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Chief Andrew Ephgrave said: “It’s a real grey area because a lot of the times they are never actually sanctioned and certainly don’t receive an ICC NoC (no-objection certificate). Domestic boards don’t sanction them or some do. But it is a bit of a grey area because a lot of the players who play in them are not in the current framework of cricket.”
The participation of retired international cricketers also raises questions about how these competitions fit within the wider cricket industry and the responsibilities of those organising them.
Ephgrave added: “But quite a lot are still iconic names. I think there’s a balance between heritage and [wanting to watch] the guy that you watched as you were growing up, and the risk around it.”
Sri Lanka tournament highlights corruption concerns
The debate surrounding legends leagues extends to the consequences that integrity-related incidents can have for cricket’s reputation.
Ephgrave stated: “There was a legends’ league that took place in Sri Lanka in 2024 where there were allegations of corruption. I’m not going to sit here and say there’s no risk. But the key is about delineating between what is the official structures of cricket, and ultimately what is retired players, who are still able to produce memories and demonstrate how they can play.”
The issue also involves how these tournaments are classified within cricket’s wider competitive landscape, where international matches, domestic competitions and independently organised events have different roles.
Ephgrave noted: “It could, yeah, but I think there’s also a degree of it being sort of exhibition cricket or festival style cricket.”
ICC reviews governance of franchise competitions
Beyond retired-player tournaments, the ICC is examining the regulatory arrangements governing franchise cricket through a subcommittee established following its annual general meeting in July.
The committee is headed by Bangladesh Cricket Board representative Tamim Iqbal, with Board of Control for Cricket in India representative Devajit Saikia, England and Wales Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould and Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg among its members.
Although Ephgrave is not a committee member, he is expected to work closely with it on integrity matters.
The review includes examining the financial background of prospective league organisers and team owners, the origins of investment and whether organisers can fulfil their contractual commitments.
Among the proposals under discussion is an escrow-style arrangement requiring funds to be deposited before tournaments begin, providing greater assurance that players and other contracted parties will receive payment.
The committee is also considering more extensive due diligence procedures for investors and organisers, alongside the adequacy of existing sanctioning regulations.
These issues are particularly relevant to Associate Member countries, where some cricket boards lack the specialist anti-corruption resources available to larger national governing bodies.
ICC outlines anti-corruption operations
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit continues to provide education, monitoring and enforcement support across international cricket and selected franchise competitions.
Ephgrave outlined its activities: “In the last 12 months, we’ve conducted and delivered education sessions to 2096 participants, globally. We’ve covered 333 bilateral international matches. And 30 other events – ICC tournaments or franchise leagues – where we’ve been asked to come in and provide our services. If you look over the last three years, we’ve laid 28 charges in relation to anti-corruption.”
The unit also receives information from betting integrity organisations and regulatory authorities, while player reporting has become an increasingly important part of identifying suspicious approaches.
Its educational programmes use practical scenarios to help cricketers recognise potential threats, including approaches initiated through social media.
Ephgrave said: “Players are vulnerable and our responsibility is to educate and help them and build confidence and trust. And that’s what our engagement programmes have done.”
Franchise leagues carry different integrity risks
The ICC has identified higher levels of corruption reporting in franchise cricket than in international matches.
Ephgrave attributed part of the difference to the financial position of international players, whose substantial contracts can make corrupt approaches less attractive than they might be for players in other competitive environments.
Franchise tournaments also involve participants moving between countries and regulatory jurisdictions, complicating the responsibility for responding to suspected misconduct.
External event organisers add another dimension, particularly where national boards have limited capacity to conduct financial checks or provide dedicated integrity oversight.
The ICC’s franchise leagues subcommittee is reviewing whether existing approval procedures remain suitable for the sport’s changing commercial landscape, with recommendations expected to address governance, financial safeguards and anti-corruption standards.
