ECB — England and Wales Cricket Board Explained
The ECB is the governing body for cricket in England and Wales. Learn how it organises domestic cricket, The Hundred, and manages international teams.
What Is the ECB?
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales. Formed in 1997 (replacing the previous Test and County Cricket Board and other bodies), it governs all cricket from grassroots to international level. The ECB is responsible for the England men's and women's international teams, county cricket, and competitions including The Hundred.
Structure of English Domestic Cricket
- County Championship — the premier first-class competition, played in two divisions of 10 teams. The oldest domestic competition in the world.
- One Day Cup (Royal London Cup) — 50-over county competition.
- Vitality Blast — county T20 competition; one of the highest-attended domestic T20 competitions globally.
- The Hundred — city-based 100-ball format competition (2021 onward); men's and women's.
ECB Revenues and The Hundred
The ECB's broadcast deal with Sky Sports has been the cornerstone of English cricket finance since the 1990s. The Hundred, launched in 2021, was partly designed to attract a free-to-air audience (BBC) and new demographics. The ECB sold 49% stakes in The Hundred's eight franchises to private investors in 2023, valuing each franchise at £40–50 million.
ECB and The County System
18 first-class counties (Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire) are members of the ECB. Their relationship with the ECB, and their funding model, has been periodically contentious — especially regarding The Hundred's impact on county cricket audiences and schedules.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ECB pick the England cricket team?
The ECB's selection committee (headed by a National Selector) picks England squads. The head coach and captain have input. The ECB appoints the head coach and management staff, who are employed directly by the board.
Is the ECB profitable?
The ECB has historically been profitable, with Sky broadcast revenues providing a stable income. The COVID-19 pandemic created significant deficits in 2020-21. The ECB's The Hundred franchise sales in 2023 generated substantial capital that improved the board's financial position.