Archive · 6 Oct 2026
MCC’s Stewart Warns Test Retirements Worry, Defends Franchise Cricket
Fraser Stewart works for the Marylebone Cricket Club, which helps look after cricket’s rules.
He says it is worrying when players leave Test cricket early to play in shorter franchise leagues.
But he understands why players may choose to earn more money in less time.
He says cricket leaders should make a schedule that gives room to both kinds of cricket.
Stewart also supports trying pink balls in daytime Test matches.
He thinks they could help games continue for longer and bring more people to watch.
New rules will penalize batters who repeatedly waste time.
He also says franchise leagues can help pay for cricket and bring players from rival teams together.
MCC cricket head Fraser Stewart said early Test retirements for franchise leagues are worrying but players cannot be blamed for seeking higher earnings.
Stewart said cricket authorities should create a schedule that supports both Test cricket and franchise leagues.
He welcomed the ICC’s trial approval of pink balls in day-time Tests, saying they could help increase play and attendance.
New playing conditions warn batters for repeated time-wasting and award five runs to the fielding side after a third offence.
Stewart said franchise cricket has helped fund the game and encouraged respect among international players who become teammates.
- Who
- Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
- What
- Stewart discussed early Test retirements for franchise cricket, pink-ball trials, time-wasting rules and the role of T20 leagues.
- When
- The report was published October 6; the ICC playing-condition changes took effect October 1.
- Where
- Bengaluru, where Stewart was visiting to launch the Kannada edition of the MCC Laws of Cricket app.
- Why
- Stewart said players may leave Tests for better earning opportunities, while cricket authorities need to balance formats and encourage more play.
Concerns about the trend
Reasons to value franchise cricket
Players leaving Test cricket
Concerns about the trend
Stewart said it is a worry when strong Test players retire from the format earlier than fans and others might want.
Reasons to value franchise cricket
He said players cannot necessarily be blamed for choosing to play less and earn more through franchise cricket.
Balancing cricket formats
Concerns about the trend
Stewart said cricket needs to ensure the best players continue to play Test cricket and that early departures are a concern.
Reasons to value franchise cricket
He said franchise leagues create value, can help fund Test cricket and have positively affected interactions and respect among players.
- Speaker
- Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at MCC
- Location
- Bengaluru
- Pink-ball decision
- The ICC approved pink-ball use in day-time Tests on a trial basis.
- Playing-condition changes
- Effective October 1, batters are warned for the first and second time-wasting instances.
- Penalty
- A third time-wasting offence brings five runs for the fielding side.
- Player example
- New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell chose a casual contract with his board to pursue more Big Bash and other league opportunities.
- MCC app event
- Stewart attended the launch of the Kannada edition of the Laws of Cricket app, in partnership with the Association of Cricket Umpires Karnataka.