‘It’s an unfashionable time to criticise the introduction of logos on Test shirts’
On the latest episode of the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast, one subject up for discussion was the ICC’s decision to permit the use of a logo on the chest of Test shirts and sweaters.
The measure is a temporary one and will be in place for the next 12 months, allowing nations to drum up more commercial revenue as they deal with the financial fallout from the coronavirus. The regulation has previously only be seen in the limited-overs formats, with the oldest format sticking to its traditions.
The change – which allows for a logo up to 32 square inches in size – follows on from the introduction of names and numbers on the back of Test shirts last year, which prompted backlash from some quarters. Former Australia quick Brett Lee called the move – introduced during last year’s Ashes series – “ridiculous”, while his former teammate Adam Gilchrist labelled it as “rubbish”.
On the podcast, wisden.com managing editor Ben Gardner argued that he couldn’t see the move staying temporary.
“I do think it will have a bigger aesthetic difference,” said Ben. “I didn’t mind at all about names and numbers on shirts – I quite like it really. So I don’t feel negative about this, but I’m surprised there haven’t been more people speaking against it. Especially because while this is a temporary measure – presumably to get a few more quid out of sponsors – once you open up a revenue stream like that, it can be a tough thing to close. I’d be surprised if it was temporary.”
Unlike the move to introduce names and numbers, the ICC’s latest decision has been met with little consternation.
“It’s possibly an unfashionable time to criticise something like that,” Ben added. “The names and numbers could be seen as something more frivolous in that it doesn’t instantly bring in more revenue in the way having an extra sponsorship outlet does.
“I think, right now, it would be an odd time to criticise boards for trying to earn a bit of money because of that issue. People have bigger fish to fry. There’s so much going on in the world. Perhaps if this time last year that had been introduced, maybe people would have been more incensed.”
