PCA criticises 'baby-step progress' over schedule

Surrey won the County Championship for the third year running in 2024

The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) says player welfare is at risk because of the congested domestic schedule.

The fixture list for 2025, which was released on Tuesday, includes a reduction in back-to-back Vitality Blast fixtures - down to 39 from 55 in 2023.

But as the women's structure aligns with the men's counties from next season they will play 60% more back-to-back Blast matches, when compared with the previous Charlotte Edwards Trophy.

The PCA says players have fears for their welfare, with tight turnarounds between fixtures leaving little time for recovery and practice, and also potentially leading to dangerous travel plans.

"It is an impossible job to create a safe schedule with the current structure," said Glamorgan seamer James Harris, chair of the PCA.

"There is baby-step progress in 2025."

Harris added there is just one day between the Blast Finals Day and a round of County Championship matches in September 2025, with the possibility that day is required as a reserve for rain.

He said it "questions the integrity" of both competitions.

In May, England batter Joe Root also called for change to see "long-lasting benefits for English cricket".

In a review before the start of the 2024 season, research showed 81% of men's players said the current schedule causes them a physical concern and 62% a mental wellbeing concern, while 76% were worried about the safety of travelling arrangements.

Players had asked for a minimum of one day between T20 fixtures and three days between four-day matches.

"We urge the game to come together because this issue cannot be kicked down the road for any longer," Harris added.

"We cannot wait for a tragedy before the game wakes up and recognises player welfare has not been prioritised."