Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has cautioned the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about potential issues if they sell shares of The Hundred teams to IPL franchises. Hogg warns that such a move could significantly impact international cricket in those regions.
Reports indicate that the ECB plans to privatize The Hundred, with 51% of the stake remaining with the hosting entities and 49% available for private investors. The ECB will select these investors after discussions with the hosts, such as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for London Spirit.
IPL franchise owners are reportedly leading the bid for these stakes but have raised concerns about the level of control they would have. They are seeking greater influence over their teams and have questioned the overall value of the 49% stake.
Brad Hogg issues serious warning to ECB
While speaking in a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Brad Hogg raised his concerns about the IPL franchises wanting more control of the teams in The Hundred. Hogg warned the ECB that international cricket will be affected after this decision and players might want to prioritize franchise cricket more.
“The ECB are selling off a little bit of their share of hundred teams to corporates and IPL franchises are really wanting to get into the mix. But these stakeholders that want a bit of the pie want the 51%, not the 49%. They want more control of that particular team,” Hogg stated in the video.
“But I am a little bit concerned about this because if you have IPL franchises buying every team around the globe in different T20 compeititions, we start to have a little bit of concern with the grassroots cricket in those particular areas because there is going to be limited opportunities because international cricket is going to be affected,” he added.
“This is a little bit of a worry” – Brad Hogg on IPL franchises acquiring more control
Hogg argued that the youngster in the particular area might want to play for his international team but this decision might prevent him from doing so. He feared about the development of young players.
“Is that young kid who dreams of playing high level cricket going to want to play for his international team or for his franchise team and play for different competitions throughout the year around the globe. I don’t think any other team has that option where a player can go and play for a team in England. Then, all of a sudden go over to Germany and play a team in Germany, then America, then Australia,” Hogg explained his point.
“Cricket is the only one and this is a little bit of a worry. What is the effect it’s going to have with the development of young players coming through? That is the big question,” the former left-arm wristspinner said.
