The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has reiterated concerns about player welfare following the ECB’s announcement of a revised schedule for the 2025 Vitality T20 Blast. While the ECB has reduced the number of back-to-back fixtures in the men’s competition by nearly a third—down from 55 in 2024 to 37 in 2025—the PCA believes more needs to be done to address the physical strain on players.
The ECB’s reduction comes after what they describe as “constructive conversations” with the PCA. Neil Snowball, the ECB’s managing director of competitions, welcomed the change as evidence of the board responding to players’ concerns. However, the PCA remains dissatisfied, stating that the remaining number of back-to-back matchdays still poses a risk to player health and performance.
A spokesperson for the PCA noted that while the reduction was a step in the right direction, “a lot more work” was required to fully address the welfare needs of players. This follows a May survey, in which 81% of county cricketers expressed concerns about the impact of their workload on their physical health.
The revised schedule also marks a major change in the structure of the Women’s T20 Blast, which will be played alongside the men’s competition. The 2025 season will feature 52 double-header fixtures across 20 venues, with every county hosting at least one joint matchday. The announcement signals a significant step in the ECB’s goal of aligning the men’s and women’s domestic cricket calendars.
The men’s T20 Blast will kick off with the ‘Blast Off’ weekend from May 29 to June 1, while the women’s finals will be held at The Oval on July 27. The men’s knockout stages will start in early September, culminating in the Finals Day on September 13 at Edgbaston.
Despite these changes, the PCA’s call for further improvements highlights the ongoing tension between the demands of an expanded domestic calendar and the well-being of the players.
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