Cricket Legends Blame Big Three for International Cricket’s Poor Health

The dominance of cricket’s “Big Three” — India, Australia, and England — has long been a subject of debate among fans, but now former players have also begun to voice their concerns over the disproportionate influence these nations wield in shaping the modern game.

A powerful quartet of former international stars — Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd — recently expressed growing unease about the growing control of the Big Three. Speaking candidly on Stick to Cricket, these legends called for a balance in cricket’s power dynamics.

The discussion began with the familiar topic of money, with Brian Lara attributing the trend of players quitting international cricket in favor of lucrative franchise leagues to the financial dominance of the Big Three.

“The Big-Three, that can’t be alright that they take all the money,” David Lloyd added. “They get the big broadcast deals, you’ve got to have a more even distribution to allow West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka to compete.” he said.

The proliferation of lucrative franchise leagues worldwide has led many players to retire at the peak of their careers to pursue these globetrotting opportunities. The West Indies, in particular, have been hit hardest, with their recent performances reflecting a decline in talent.

Alastair Cook, England’s second-highest Test run-scorer, highlighted the issue during the same conversation when asked what frustrates him most about the modern game.

“That playing for your country isn’t the biggest thing,” Cook said. “And I don’t blame the players, I just think there’s got to be a way of keeping the international cricket (fair through equal money).”

Michael Vaughan was quick to criticize the ICC for the financial disparity between the Big Three and the rest of the cricketing nations.

“The thing that annoys me most about the game is that the pie is not split right. That is my biggest frustration. If we want to get to a stage, and it might be with two tiers of cricket, the only way that is going to be fair is if the pie is equal. I am not saying it has to be the same but the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand—they have to get more so that they can pay their players so they’ll keep playing for their country.”

The Big Three reportedly earn over 50% of the ICC’s annual revenue, with the BCCI alone taking a massive 38.4% of the$600 million USD share, while the ECB and Cricket Australia earn around 6.89% and 6.25%, respectively. These three boards have been accused of manipulating the cricketing calendar to maximize their earnings, often at the expense of other nations. This pay disparity drives players to seek financial security in franchise leagues, with many even choosing league cricket over representing their countries.

Despite the vocal criticism from legends like Lara, Cook, Lloyd, and Vaughan, the Big Three continue to dominate the cricketing landscape. Players from these nations remain among the highest-paid athletes, reducing the risk of their stars abandoning international cricket.

With some of the game’s greatest voices now spotlighting this issue, a resolution may be on the horizon—if not soon, then eventually. For now, it remains the Big Three’s world, and they continue to dictate the game globally.