PCA criticises County Championship vote, says player welfare ignored despite overwhelming data
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has voiced strong disappointment after the Rothesay County Championship retained its 14-match format, despite clear player feedback and data highlighting the growing physical and mental toll of the current schedule.
The decision follows the conclusion of a county-led review into the men’s domestic structure, where the proposed changes—including a reduced 13-match Championship—failed to gain enough support from Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs).
Player data shows rising concerns over current schedule
To support the review, the PCA surveyed male professional players ahead of the 2025 season. The data revealed:
- 83% are concerned about their physical wellbeing due to the current schedule
- 67% are concerned about their mental wellbeing
- 72% believe the structure is not conducive to high performance
- 77% believe too much domestic cricket is currently played
All these figures have increased since the 2024 survey, indicating a growing concern across the playing group. Despite this, the County Championship will remain at 14 matches, with 10 teams in Division One and 8 in Division Two.
PCA leadership: “Player welfare not prioritised”
PCA Chair Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell were heavily involved in the review process, engaging directly with county chairs and advocating for changes to protect player health. Both expressed frustration at the outcome.
“Ultimately the required minimum number of 12 county Chairs did not see player welfare as a priority,” said Hannon-Dalby.
The PCA had worked both publicly and behind the scenes, urging decision-makers to act in the interests of modern players. The players were willing to compromise, first backing a 12-game season, then a 13-game structure that still failed to pass.
“At the start of the process, there was a consensus from all that the structure is not fit for purpose and change needed to happen,” said Mitchell. “So to remain with the status quo is a concerning decision.”
Concerns over 2026 fixture congestion
The PCA also warned that the 2026 indicative schedule could include two red-ball matches in nine days following The Hundred, raising serious concerns about recovery time and player readiness.
While players welcomed the approved tweak to the Vitality Blast format—reduced to 12 group games played before The Hundred—they emphasized the need for further action on back-to-back scheduling and workload management.
“We cannot relent in our ambition to create minimum standards to allow for a safer schedule,” said Hannon-Dalby.
Status quo: a missed opportunity?
Many within the game had hoped the review would be a turning point in modernizing county cricket and responding to player concerns. The PCA stressed that the failure to evolve the Championship risks damaging both player wellbeing and the long-term viability of red-ball cricket in England and Wales.
Despite their disappointment, the PCA reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing advocacy, aiming to ensure future domestic schedules reflect the realities faced by today’s elite cricketers.
