Clive Lloyd: Better disbursement of allocations for cricket boards needed

Legendary former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd is calling for better disbursement of allocations for cricket boards from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Lloyd was speaking during the 47th Regular meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government where he was honored with the Order of the Caricom Community in Grenada recently.

The current financial model adopted by the ICC, sees the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) taking home US$231 million a year for the next four years, while England receives US$41.3 million, Australia US$37.53 million and West Indies US$27.5 million a year.

Lloyd, who initiated West Indies dominance in the 70s, 80s and 90s, called on the Cricket West Indies board to make their voices heard in the ICC. 

“I think it’s about time that our board men make a special call to the ICC, ten to 12 people who we know have the pull and that extra to tell them that we need some special dispensation,” said Lloyd, noting that the West Indies team of the seventies and eighties enabled the team to earn money and it’s time they got returns.

“We were the cash cow for these guys. But now that we might be a little down in the dumps, nobody is saying West Indies need some help.”

Lloyd then turned his attention to the West Indies players who are playing in franchise cricket around the world.

“We have to say to these young men, we don’t mind you going to earn money. But when we have our cricket here, we would like you to play here.”

Lloyd shared the benefits of the young regional players playing alongside the better and more experienced players in the Regional First-Class tournament. 

Lloyd indicated that the inclusion of high-profile players can boost the tournament.

He added, “If our inter-island cricket is strong, our test match will be strong. We have to strengthen our cricket at home and play against each other.”