Counties face points deductions for financial losses under strict new ECB rules

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is introducing new financial rules modelled on football's profit and sustainability regulations, which will impose automatic points deductions on counties that repeatedly make losses. The rules will be introduced in a shadow form next season to allow counties time to adjust, with fixed punishments for clubs failing to break even coming into force in 2028. The move comes after Sussex recorded an operating loss of £1.33 million, highlighting financial concerns across county cricket.