sports
December 25, 2025
ECB lacks power to bring about change in attempt to arrest heavy Ashes defeats
Governing body is unlikely to commission any formal inquiries, having lost control of the sport’s governance and operations
TL;DR
- The ECB faces a review of the Ashes tour performance with limited options for structural reform.
- Previous reviews, like Schofield's in 2007 and Strauss's in 2022, had mixed success and faced resistance from county clubs.
- The ECB has ceded control over cricket's governance and operations, impacting its ability to implement changes.
- The sale of Hundred franchises means the ECB cannot withdraw players from the tournament for national duty.
- Counties have rejected proposals to streamline the domestic season, similar to Australia's Sheffield Shield.
- Meaningful structural change is unlikely unless the ECB alters its constitution to regain control from its constituent members.
- Past structural reforms were achieved through a vote of the 41 constituent members, indicating precedent for change if desired.
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