The location of the World Cricket Connect (WCC) conference was perfect, given that the main problem facing cricket is balancing history with innovation. Lord's, the home of cricket and a symbol of its history, culture, and traditions dating back 200 years, welcomed cricket's stakeholders at the invitation of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

Embracing change, the Long Room established the tone for the gathering by loosening the dress code so that attendees were not required to wear a tie and jacket.

The WCC of the MCC began with the caveat that the stakeholder meeting was merely a forum for expressing opinions and ideas that may influence the future of the sport we all enjoy, not a decision-making body.

The lineup of presenters and panelists taking part in the debate was outstanding. Former captains Barry Richards, Mike Atherton, Andrew Strauss, Sourav Ganguly, Kumar Sangakkara, Kane Williamson, and Pat Cummins were notable among them.

The debate focused on the perplexity and intricacy caused by cricket's three forms, the quick rise of private franchise leagues, the potential threat or impending demise of Test cricket, and the likely path of future development.

What are the best methods for interacting with fans? What will drive cricket's future expansion? Should Test cricket be preserved? Is it possible for all three formats to coexist?

Results that came out: Cricket is wealthier since it sells many goods, but timetables must take into account market facts. Meaningless red-ball cricket and context-less bilateral games have to give way for high-quality "best versus best" contests—whether they be red-ball or white-ball.

The allure of cricket partly comes from its romance and nostalgia for the past, but the WCC's attitude was realistic when it came to modifying the game to meet future needs. The primary idea, according to the speakers, should be what the audience wants since cricket must cater to the consumer. As a component of the entertainment sector, cricket competes for the time, energy, resources, and attention of busy individuals who have a wide range of alternatives available.

Maintaining consistent engagement is essential in this battle for time and attention, as well as in the struggle to remain relevant. Heroes are relatable to fans and serve as the bait that generates intrigue and fosters interaction. In order for the financial wheels to continue turning, cricket needs a Virat Kohli. Sport's guiding principle is "come for the hero, stay for the game."

One of the most calm, rational, and respected voices in cricket, Sangakkara, put it well. We are entertainers, he claimed, and we must pay attention to our audience and provide them with the material they like. They want the top talent in cricket to produce memorable moments.

The quick growth of franchise leagues was thoroughly examined and discussed. Privately owned leagues/teams disrupt the current system by establishing a scenario where players are caught between national boards and owners. However, cricket is more powerful because of its transformative ability to reach new audiences and regions, and its capacity to revitalize the system through professionalism and creativity.

There was optimism regarding the future of cricket. Commercially, cricket may grow into a $10 billion industry by leveraging the potential in the US and building on the popularity of women's cricket.

Throughout the several sessions, one recurring topic was the necessity of a welcoming, inclusive global ecosystem that accommodates the new players. Hard decisions must be made about the road ahead for cricket at that crossroads.

Regardless of the direction it takes, cricket's future is dependent on India because of its large fan base, market share, and financial power. India's support has made the ICC (collectively) and its member boards (individually) financially viable right now. Bottom line: If India didn't visit them, the majority of nations would be in trouble.

When questioned about India's position in the future of cricket, Sangakkara responded by mentioning that he played for the country. Given his debut hundred at Lord's in 1996 and the Salman Khan performance on the pavilion balcony in 2002, Ganguly, who appears to be the owner of the venue, intervened gracefully to highlight India's good contribution at all levels.

As described by one speaker as "revolutionary, not just evolutionary," the WCC was a forum where diverse stakeholders gathered for thought-provoking sessions that offered information on current events.

Many valid issues were brought up, and solutions were presented. Some are sensible, while others are completely out of touch with reality. A participant concluded the conference by noting that the majority of questions about cricket's future will come from outside the Long Room.

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