Nearly 50 English cricketers are considering boycotting The Hundred in 2025 due to a controversial ECB policy. The England & Wales Cricket Board has decided to bar players with first-class contracts from joining overseas franchise leagues that clash with the English domestic season.
According to The Telegraph (December 6), several players are contemplating skipping the draft and opting out of The Hundred’s retention process. Despite this frustration, a full-scale boycott seems unlikely, especially as pay raises for The Hundred have already been approved for next year. However, the policy could significantly impact players who rely on The Hundred for a substantial portion of their earnings.
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) is now seeking legal advice on whether this policy violates players’ rights to work. PCA Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell highlighted players’ frustration over the lack of prior consultation before implementing this rule.
The policy ties into wider concerns within English cricket. England’s team selections are no longer based solely on County Championship performances, leading some players to question why they must prioritize the championship over lucrative leagues like the PSL. This situation may push more players to retire from red-ball cricket or pursue white-ball-only contracts, allowing greater participation in global leagues.
Under the revised NOC (No Objection Certificate) policy, red-ball contract holders cannot join overseas leagues like the PSL, which now overlaps with the County Championship. White-ball players, however, can still participate in overlapping tournaments. The ECB aims to safeguard the County Championship and limit player absences during the domestic season, running from April to September.
The policy excludes leagues flagged for corruption concerns and prohibits participation in new tournaments overlapping after elimination from other events. The IPL, however, remains unaffected by these restrictions.
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