The International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating establishing a dedicated fund of at least USD 15 million (INR 125 Crore) to support Test cricket. This initiative aims to improve match fees for players and address the issue of talent moving to high-paying T20 franchise leagues.

The proposal, initially put forward by Cricket Australia (CA), has garnered support from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, a leading candidate for the next ICC Chairman, and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The proposed fund would increase the minimum match fee for Test players and cover the expenses associated with international tours. It is designed to assist national boards, such as the West Indies, which are struggling to compete with the financial incentives offered by T20 leagues.

The report indicates that the fund would guarantee a minimum Test payment of USD 10,000 for players and cover the costs of overseas tours for less affluent cricketing nations.

Mike Baird, CA chairman and proponent of the idea since January, expressed enthusiasm about the fund: “It’s excellent to see progress on the Test match fund. We need to remove obstacles and promote Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport while preserving its rich history alongside the newer white-ball formats.”

However, the fund is unlikely to benefit cricket’s wealthiest nations—India, Australia, and England—since their players already receive substantial compensation. The amount the ICC can allocate to Test cricket may be influenced by ongoing negotiations with broadcaster Star, which seeks to revise a 2022 broadcast deal that originally valued close to USD 3 billion.

Earlier this year, the BCCI introduced an incentive scheme for Indian men’s Test cricketers to prioritize Test cricket and reward consistent performance. Players who participate in at least 75% of India’s Test matches within the annual cycle from October to September will receive an additional Rs 45 lakh per match, on top of the Rs 15 lakh Test match fee. Those appearing in 50-75% of the matches will earn a bonus of Rs 30 lakh per match, while non-playing squad members will receive half of these amounts.