Test cricket is already in survival mode and now the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is faced with the challenge of keeping its players interested in the longer format, with less money on offer.
Under the latest arrangements signed off by the West Indies Players Association (Wipa) and WICB, the players are now being paid US$5,750 for a Test match. No longer are players paid on seniority the only difference in payment comes to the captain, as he receives US$6,750 per Test match.
The fees for the limited overs matches and Twenty20s (T20s) are much better when compared to the fact that it is a much shorter period of work. Each player receives US$2,300 per ODI match and US$1,700 for a T20 match.
The West Indies will be touring Sri Lanka next month for a series which takes in two Test matches, three ODIs and two T20 matches. A player other than the captain playing two Test matches will get US$11,500. Taking into consideration the period of work, it is for a maximum 10 days.
A player taking part in the three ODIs gets US$6,900 for three days work, while a player being picked for the two T20s will get US$3,400 for seven hours work.
Information reaching Guardian Media is that the lure of Test cricket is no longer because of financial stability but more of tradition and those players showing interest are those that would not normally travel the world playing in the lucrative T20 leagues that are popping up in all continents.
Recently, West Indies coach Phil Simmons met with senior players who were part of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the major concerns they had was the salary being offered for Test match play. The players are getting huge payouts for T20 cricket and going back into whites is just not appetising anymore.
Added to the players’ concerns is the fact that all image rights revenue is now given to assist the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL). This was the centre of the dispute which resulted in the players boycotting the tour of India last October. The only other funds given to players is a per diem while on tour for incidentals.
The WICB has given the commitment to the different franchises in the PCL, to fund the league for the first four years of its existence. They are into the second year of the league and the WICB has asked the franchises to find ways of getting investors to come on board, so that they are become self-sufficient after the fourth year. If the franchises fail in their bid to become self-sufficient, then the PCL which is critical to rebuilding West Indies cricket will fall by the wayside.