Worcestershire County Cricket Club is today sharing with members and supporters the letter sent to all First Class county chairs by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), outlining players’ support for evolving the Domestic Playing Programme, most notably a move to a 13-match County Championship season. The letter, signed by PCA Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell and dated 17 September 2025, highlights player welfare, competition integrity and fixture balance.
What the PCA letter says:
On page 1 of the letter, the PCA sets out the case, based on its 2025 player survey and county-by-county consultation, for a 13-match County Championship to improve standards, safeguard welfare and balance the calendar. Headline findings include:
- 83% of players raised concerns about their physical wellbeing; 67% about mental wellbeing.
- 72% believe the current schedule isn’t conducive to high performance.
- Players have asked for minimum rest/recovery, including a three-day gap between four-day matches.
- After squad consultations, 13 of 18 PCA county representatives voted in favour of a 13-match Championship.
The letter also outlines four reasons a 13-match model would help:
- Protect player welfare and performance via proper preparation/recovery;
- Reduce fatigue and travel pressure around fixture “pinch points”;
- Raise competitive integrity so results are decided by quality, not endurance; and
- Provide a sustainable path forward balancing player feedback with commercial and traditional interests. The PCA notes recent positive steps to improve the Vitality Blast, but argues further change is needed so players can stay healthy and perform in matches “with integrity.”
Letter in Full: PCA to First Class County Chairs (17 September 2025)
Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles said: “We’ve tried consistently to look at this debate through several lenses, listening to our members, supporters, partners and, critically, the players. We also have to consider our own staff whose workloads continue to rise with the welcome growth of women’s cricket. On and off the field, we are stretched.”
“We would support a reduction, done in the right way. For the Vitality Blast, a shift to a regional structure alongside fewer matches should create a better competition for players and supporters (who should be able to travel to most games) and make more sense to the club commercially.”
“We also support a small reduction in County Championship cricket, paired with a change to the current structure to deliver better, more exciting red-ball cricket across the season, and unlock room to improve the August schedule. Meanwhile, 50-over cricket continues to be a brilliant part of our summer: great value for families, a platform for young players, and a leveller for counties who lose fewer to The Hundred. Selfishly, we’d love another home game in this competition to give members and fans more to enjoy in August.”
