Saudi Arabia ready to park tanks on cricket’s lawns

Fans watch Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai — Could a new Saudi-backed T20 league challenge the global supremacy of the IPL? - Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Australia and Saudi Arabia are in talks about partnering on a new global Twenty20 league, which would see eight teams play in four different locations each year, in a format likened to tennis’s Grand Slams.

Talks are under way for Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments to fund the new competition, which would aim to enlist the world’s best players and bring them together for four tournaments a year.

The plans were first reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. Neil Maxwell, the prominent Australian agent who manages Test captain Pat Cummins, is believed to be driving the concept.

The plans have been developed in partnership with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the players’ body Down Under; the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association, which represents players globally, is also thought to be involved. SRJ Sports Investments is said to be ready to invest £400 million ($US500 million) in the new league.

The Gabba in Brisbane — It is reported the tournament would be played at four different locations each year in a format likened to tennis’s Grand Slams. Could the Gabba be one? - Dave Hunt/Shutterstock

The new tournament would add to an already saturated global cricket landscape. More than 20 short-format leagues featuring significant overseas talent – be it played over 10 overs, 20 overs or 100 balls – are taking place in men’s cricket across the world this year, with the Indian Premier League the most prominent.

Insiders have believed for years that Saudi Arabia is keen to be involved in cricket. So far, the country has yet to invest in the sport in the way it has in the likes of golf, Formula 1 and football, where it is hosting the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia also has an 85 per cent stake in Newcastle United. Jeddah hosted the IPL auction last November in an indication of Saudi Arabia’s cricket aspirations.

Cricket Australia is known to be keen for a cash injection. Australia recently pushed plans to reform the Test game, and make lucrative meetings against England and India more common.

LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan at St Andrews — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, helmed by Yasir Al-Rumayyan (pictured), has already invested heavily in golf, Formula One and football - Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

There are a series of unanswered questions about the proposed new league. Previous rumoured Saudi involvement in cricket has not come to fruition. In 2023, it was reported that Saudi Arabia and the IPL were in discussions over a new T20 tournament.

But there is a growing sense that, this time, the discussions could be more serious. Insiders report hearing rumours of Saudi-backed plans in recent months. “Something is brewing,” said one influential figure in world cricket.

Key questions for any new Saudi Arabia T20 league

When could the league begin?

The current Future Tours Programme runs until March 2027, suggesting that the league could be launched as soon as 2027.

Where would it be played?

The competition is envisaged to consist of a format of four tournaments a year of around two weeks each, to be played by the same eight teams and hosted in different countries. Australia is thought to be primed to host one of the competitions. Given its financial backing, Saudi Arabia would expect to host matches too. The country does not yet have any turf wickets, raising questions about the standard of grounds that could be used.

When would it be played?

September – the window previously used for the Champions League – is one obvious slot for a tournament. The other three annual tournaments would need to fit into an already saturated calendar. The two months occupied by the IPL, in April and May, would not be suitable as the competition would then miss out on star talent.

Jos Buttler in action for Rajasthan Royals — With a rumoured £400m investment, the rumoured new league could potentially attract the world’s best T20 players, such as Jos Buttler - Manish Swarup/AP

Which overseas cricketers could play?

The reports suggest that, with £400 million of investment, the tournament would attract the very best players in the world. But there is one major obstacle. Under current International Cricket Council rules, all new T20 leagues have a limit of four overseas players from Full Member nations. Unless the Saudi Arabian league was given an exemption, then the tournament would not comprise the world’s best. The IPL combines four overseas players per team with the world’s best domestic talent. But if the tournament featured, say, seven players who were either from Saudi Arabia or other Associate nations, then the standard would be nowhere near as high.

Who would benefit?

Reports suggest that the Saudi-sponsored league is trying to position itself as crucial to the game’s wider health. It has been suggested that Full Member and Associate nations alike would enjoy a share of revenue raised. In theory, this could help to fund loss-making Test matches and develop the game in emerging countries. But cricket has a long history of broken promises about ideas sold as safeguarding the Test game.

Who would need to approve it?

The new league would need to be approved by the ICC, which is chaired by Jay Shah, the son of India’s minister of home affairs.

What would it mean for Test cricket?

Backers suggest that the funds from the competition could be used to bankroll the Test format worldwide. In reality, the tournament would be yet another threat to the five-day game, and make it more financially attractive for players to specialise in T20. There is already profound concern about the vitality of the Test game outside Australia, England and India. For nations like England, the challenge of scheduling matches when the calendar is relatively free – and their opponents are at full strength, and more attractive to fans – could intensify.

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