Prize money rise for Test cricket teams

Friday, 3 February 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The top four Test teams will receive more prize money from the International Cricket Council next year.

The ICC wants to increase incentives for Test sides to help promote the inaugural Test championship in 2017.

The top-ranked team on April 1 presently receives $US175,000 ($A165,000), but that will increase to a minimum of $US450,000 (2013), $US475,000 (2014) and $US500,000 (2015) in a total pool of $US3.8 million. The ICC says there will be another increase in 2016.

During a two-day board meeting that ended on Wednesday, the members also discussed how to attract more fans to Tests.

“There were some board members who were not so sure about simply increasing the prize money,” chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

“We talked about the pitch being suitable to ensure a fair contest between bat and ball, and we talked about stadia facilities being conducive to get in people or families out there for the full five days.”

The ICC board also agreed to accept an independent recommendation that the president’s role be split, so that the president becomes a figurehead position rotated each year, and the new position of chairman leads the board. The chairman could be appointed from outside the board. The moves will be voted on at the annual conference in June.

Presently, the presidency is a two-year role. Alan Isaac of New Zealand will take over from Sharad Pawar of India this year.

Mustafa Kamal of Bangladesh is next in line, and he may become the first one-year figurehead from 2014.