Broadcast deal helped save ECB from "financial oblivion"

Chief executive Tom Harrison says there remains concern over the future of the sport heading into 2021

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The ECB were standing on the brink until they fulfilled many of the terms of their £1.1 billion broadcast deal, chief executive Tom Harrison has revealed.

There were concerns the coronavirus pandemic would force a cancellation of the entire cricketing calendar.

But England played a full summer, while a condensed T20 Blast and women's international season was also possible. The Hundred was postponed until next year but much of the season, including the Bob Willis Trophy and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, were salvaged.

Cricket's governing body believes £200m could be lost from the sport due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, while 62 jobs are being made redundant.

And until fans can be returned to grounds, the sport will continue to face major challenges. But Harrison believes a major hurdle has been cleared.

"There is some pride at what has been achieved this year but there is also concern for the future," he said.

"Being able to deliver on those broadcast commitments has frankly saved us from financial oblivion, and obviously not just us but the rest of the game too. It’s as stark as that.

^{Empty venues have been on the evocative images of the summer - and they could return in 2021}

"The ECB has lost more than 100 million pounds of revenue and 800 days of live spectators in stadia.

"The consequences of that are now being felt by people across the game who are losing livelihoods and are going through some very difficult moments in their lives.

"Right now at the ECB we’re going through the painful process of becoming a smaller organisation coming out of this summer."

In a session with the media, Harrison and the ECB's chief medical officer Nick Peirce also said the bio-secure bubble which helped England's players fulfil their summer fixtures will undergo changes next year. Regular tests will also be cut back after more than £1m was spent on the programme.

Though the international calendar remains hugely uncertain, the ECB are hopeful of hosting the World Test Championship final in 2021 despite the major disruption the competition has faced during the pandemic.

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