Committee holds constructive Summit

The PCA Players’ Committee, alongside further playing members have met in Paris at the PCA Summit to discuss topical issues in the men’s and women’s game across England and Wales.

Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, players were invited to attend the three-day event at the Mercure Eiffel Tower Hotel to deliberate on the current cricketing landscape and asked to divulge the opinions of their respective dressing rooms.

The meetings commenced with a welcome from Chair James Harris, who is nearing the end of his second and final term, with a new Chair to be appointed in time for the 2025 AGM.

This preceded in-depth updates and constructive discussions with multiple ECB guests, including Managing Director of the Professional Game, Rob Andrew and Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of Women’s Professional Game, where players were able to hold the governing body to account.

Earlier this year, the PCA, revealed that worries about the men’s schedule were affecting players’ mental and physical health. This topic was brought up in the conversation with Andrew, as Harris questioned the timeline and plan to create change ahead of the 2026 season.

Attendees were provided with pre-read information and collated thoughts of their teams, allowing everyone’s point of view to be heard.

Players also had smaller group reflections, wrote their thoughts on different topic boards placed around the meeting room and had many informal discussions across the three days.

ECB’s Director of Business Operations, Vikram Banerjee and Director of Major Events, Rob Hillman, and also provided an update on The Hundred and what changes players can expect in the next few years that will impact the current and future playing group as the teams look set for private investment.

ECB Cricket Operations Manager, Andy Smith and Professional Umpires Manager, Hamish Grant also presented to the players in an open discussion on officials and umpires, following a request by PCA members.

PCA Chair and Glamorgan bowler, James Harris, said: “We don’t get many chances to get everyone together, so getting the players here and constructively looking at the future of the game is very important.

“To spend a couple of days with reps across the men’s and women’s game is great because we can work through where the game is going.

“We’re trying to get ahead of any teething problems that might happen in the future and the PCA is here for all the players.

“The men’s schedule is a really important issue, some of the things players are being asked to do is unacceptable, it’s vital our voices are heard. We’re going to use all the powers at our disposal to make sure change happens for 2026.”

Gloucestershire bowler and 2024 Vitality Blast Player of the Year, David Payne, said: “It’s such an important time of the year and it’s been great to hear from the ECB about everything that’s going on in the game.

“It’s always good to have PCA reps that can keep players informed about issues that are going on in the game and with me and Miles (Hammond) we represent the older and younger parts of our dressing room.

“Following our discussions, as a group of reps we are going to work even harder to influence the Chairs and CEOs at our counties because those are the ears that need to be hearing about how we feel and our opinions. It was interesting to have a conversation on how we can influence change, for the better.”

Lancashire batter and outgoing Central Sparks PCA rep, Eve Jones, said: “It’s good to be here in Paris and discuss the matters that have cropped up over the last 12 months.

“It’s going to be a big year with the tiers in the women’s game so to learn about that was exciting and where the game is going will be beneficial to the women’s game.

“It’s good to learn off the men’s players and what works well for them and errors that they want to improve on as well.

“Hearing what the ECB’s plans are surrounding the women’s game and The Hundred was really beneficial, especially getting to pose our own questions to them.”

Find out more about the PCA Players’ Committee.